The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says Late President Muhammadu Buhari was a patriotic servant leader who stood with the people and put the country first, no matter the cost.
Comrade Joe Ajaero, NLC President stated this in a condolence message he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja.
“For us in the unions, Buhari came fighting the unions and mass-retrenching workers leading to indescribable suffering during his tenure as a military head of state.
“However, as a civilian president, Buhari saw to it, that no worker was laid off (not even during the Covid-19 pandemic).
“He repeatedly gave facilities to state governments to clear the backlogs of salaries and pensions as well as to enable them regularly pay salaries (although some governors betrayed this trust),” Ajaero said.
The labour leader added: “Although Buhari increased the pump-price of petroleum products, he stoutly refused to sell off the refineries or devalued the Naira.
“Buhari consistently identified with worker-issues/values including resisting pressure to adopt fundamentalist market policies as part of the process of protecting workers and ordinary people.
“In the late President, therefore, we have lost a leader who corrected his mistakes against workers, during his second coming. He stood with the people and country, a leader who truly put the country first no matter the cost”.
Ajaero said NLC was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Buhari, and the members’ hearts were with the immediate family, friends and associates in their trying moments, especially his wife, Hajiya Aisha.
He stressed that the late President gave his best to the country and prayed Allah to forgive his sins as well as grant him peaceful repose.
Buhari passed away on Sunday in a London hospital. His death was announced by his family in a statement issued by his former spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu.
President Bola Tinubu had announced a national mourning with flags lowered half‑mast and the Vice‑President, Kashim Shettima dispatched to United Kingdom to convey Buhari’s body home.
Buhari served as Nigeria’s President from 2015 to 2023 and previously as a Military Head of State from 1983 to 1985.
Buhari’s burial: FG constitutes committee, announces arrangements
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee to oversee the state burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Tinubu has also directed the Ministry of Interior to declare Tuesday a public holiday in honour of the late President.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during a media briefing on the burial arrangements.
Idris said the Special Federal Executive Council (FEC) Meeting, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, had been rescheduled to Friday.
According to him, the inter-committee expected to work closely with the Katsina State Government and the family of the late President, is chaired by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume.
He said other members of the committee include, Ministers of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Budget and Economic Planning, Defence, Information and National Orientation and Works.
Others in the committee are, Ministers of Interior, Housing and Urban Development, Federal Capital Territory, Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare.
Also in the committee are National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, Director-General, Department of State Services and Chief of Defence Staff.
The committee members also included, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and other Matters,
Idris said that the Office of the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (GSO), will serve as the Secretariat to the committee.
The minister said that 25 members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had been directed to travel to Katsina to participate in the full schedule of the burial rites.
He said the President has directed the FEC members to stay for the Third-Day Prayers in honour of the deceased in Daura on Wednesday.
“As we prepare to bid farewell to one of Nigeria’s foremost statesmen, the federal government urges all Nigerians to join in prayers and reflection for the repose of the soul of our former leader,” he said.
The minister recalled that Tinubu had already declared seven days of national mourning which began on Sunday, adding that during the period, the national flag would fly at half-mast across the country.
“All state governments and the private sector are hereby directed to comply accordingly.
“Meanwhile, a high-level federal government delegation, led by the Vice-President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, is currently in London to conclude documentation and logistical arrangements for the repatriation of the former president’s remains.
“The remains of the former president are expected to arrive in Katsina by 12: noon on Tuesday. Upon arrival, in Katsina, a brief military ceremony will be held at the airport,” Idris said.
The minister said that Tinubu would personally receive the remains of Buhari in Katsina.
He added that the remains would, thereafter proceed to Daura, where the Jana’iza (funeral prayer) would take place, followed by interment at the late president’s residence.
Idris also stated that the Tinubu had directed that a condolence register be opened in all federal ministries, departments, and agencies.
“Additional register will be opened at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, as well as at Nigerian Embassies and Missions abroad.
“Tinubu will continue to receive messages of sympathy from Heads of State and Governments around the world, reflecting the global stature and legacy of the late president Buhari,” Idris said.