By Sulaimon Jamiu
President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has passed away at the age of 73.
The long-time Abu Dhabi leader died on Friday, according to state news agency WAM.
“The Ministry of Presidential Affairs condoles the people of the UAE, the Arab and Islamic nation and the world over the demise of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the president of the UAE,” read a statement from the authorities.
The country will now enter 40 days of mourning, with flags at half mast and three days closure of ministries and official entities at the federal and local levels, as well as the private sector.
Sheikh Khalifa had served as the president of UAE since 2004 after the death of his father. Born in 1948, he was the second president of the UAE and the 16th leader of Abu Dhabi.
The Abu Dhabi royal family, headed by Sheikh Khalifa is said to be worth a staggering £120billion.
Until his death, the Sheikh also chaired the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority which controls assets worth more than £571billion.
