Nigeria President Yar'Adua dead at age 58

LAGOS, Nigeria, May 5 (UPI) -- Nigeria President Umaru Yar'Adua died Wednesday after an extended illness. He was 58.

The Nigerian information minister announced Yar'Adua's death Wednesday on state television, CNN reported.

Yar'Adua, who took office in 2007, is best known for giving amnesty to militants in the Niger Delta who continue their violent protest against oil production by foreign companies in the region.

Militants called off the truce Yar'Adua had brokered when he was sent to Saudi Arabia in November 2009 to be treated for acute pericarditis, or inflamed tissue around the heart. Yar'Adua returned to Nigeria in February but never appeared in public.

The White House issued a statement Wednesday saying U.S. President Barack Obama was saddened by the news.

"President Yar'Adua worked to promote peace and stability in Africa through his support of Nigerian peacekeeping efforts as well as his strong criticism of undemocratic actions in the region. He was committed to creating lasting peace and prosperity within Nigeria's own borders, and continuing that work will be an important part of honoring his legacy," Obama's statement said.

"Under President Yar'Adua's leadership, Nigeria and the United States took steps to deepen the strong bilateral relationship between our two nations and that work has continued even in recent months when President Yar'Adua's illness forced him to step back from his governing duties. The Nigerian people and government should know that in this time of national mourning they have a friend and enduring partner in the United States and that together we will continue to work to address the common challenges we face."