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Tinubu, Guinea-Bissau, Niger Presidents, Others, Attend Funeral Rites
THE remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari was, yesterday, buried at his residence in Daura, amidst tears and prayers by his immediate family members, President Bola Tinubu, Governors, ministers, among other thousands of mourners.
The burial was attended by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, former Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, President of Guinea Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Embaló and the Prime Minister of Niger Republic, Ali Lamine Zeine.
Others were: Service Chiefs, Captains of industry, former governors, representative of the President of Chad Republic, Islamic clerics, and other high profile personalities from within amd outside the country.
As part of the final honours, a joint Military team rendered a 21-gun salute before the former president was interred at his private residence in Daura.
Before his final interment, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, who read Buhari’s citation, described his demise as a profound loss to the country and his immediate family.
Musa said the late Buhari was a fine soldier, who exhibited high sense of professionalism, discipline, honesty, integrity and selfless service to the country.
Our correspondent reports that earlier on arrival in Daura, the body was received by a mammoth crowd, praising the name of Allah and seeking divine mercy for the former Nigerian leader.
The family members of the late president were allowed to see his corpse for few minutes to offer fervent prayers for the repose of his soul.
Buhari, a former Military Head of State from 1984 to 1985, returned to power through democratic elections in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019.
His years in office were marked by anti-corruption campaigns, infrastructural reforms, and a mixed record on security and economic growth.
Meanwhile President Bola Tinubu, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau and Niger Republic Prime Minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, were among thousands of people who attended the funeral rites of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Daura, Katsina State.
Our correspondent reports that the remains of Buhari were conveyed to Nigeria by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Our correspondent also reports that the remains were brought aboard a Nigerian Air force flight -FGT 001, which touched ground at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, around 2p.m.,yesterday .
The body was received by Tinubu, Gov Dikko Radda of Katsina State, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Governors and other dignitaries.
After a farewell parade in honour of the late former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his remains were conveyed to Daura by road.
The funeral prayer was led by Imam Hassan Yusuf, after 4p.m., at the Daura Helipad.
The prayer was performed by many dignitaries, notable among them were the former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
Others were members of the National Assembly, Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk-Umar, that of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir-Usman and Emirs of Zazzau, Dutse and Kazaure, among others.
Captains of industries like Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal, also attended the burial.
After the funeral prayer, the corpse was taken to his personal residence where he was buried.
The funeral rites were attended by thousands of people who were earlier denied access to the venue but later allowed to enter.
Some of the people interviewed, upheld the virtues of the late former President who distinguished himself for integrity, honesty and discipline.
Salisu Lawal, said that Buhari was a great man who loved staying with his people and offer a helping hand to them.
Aliyu Nasiru, another resident, described the death of Buhari as a great loss only to his immediate family, but to enter state and the country.
“The death has created a vacuum that is difficult to fill, he will continue to be remembered for his good virtues,” he said.
He prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.
