Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday conveyed condolences to the government and the people of Venezuela over the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Jonathan said in a statement that he sincerely joined the brotherly people of Venezuela in mourning Chavez, noting the late Venezuelan president endeared himself to the ordinary people of his country with his admirable efforts at improving the living conditions of the underprivileged Venezuelans.

While praising Chavez for his relentless efforts to uplift his people and country in the 14 years of his presidency, the Nigerian president also urged efforts to be made to ensure a peaceful and orderly emergence of a worthy successor to the late president.

Chavez died Tuesday at the age of 58 after a two-year battle with cancer which was first detected in his pelvis. Endi