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Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Tinubu sets up committee for Buhari’s state burial

    Tinubu sets up committee for Buhari’s state burial

    President Bola Tinubu has approved the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Committee for the state burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Mr Segun Imohiosen, the Director of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

    According to the statement, the committee is chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume.

    The committee is tasked with planning and coordinating a befitting state burial for the late elder statesman.

    Members of the committee include: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Minister of Defence, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Minister of Works

    Others are, Minister of Interior, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, National Security Adviser.

    Also in the list included Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters, Inspector-General of Police, Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Chief of Defence Staff.

    “The Office of the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, will serve as the Secretariat to the committee.”

    The President has also directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to open condolence registers at their respective offices for members of the public to pay their respects.

    In addition, central condolence registers for the diplomatic community and the general public will be opened at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bola  Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.

  • “We were in the same hospital together” – Ex-Head of State, Abdulsalami opens up on last moments with Buhari

    “We were in the same hospital together” – Ex-Head of State, Abdulsalami opens up on last moments with Buhari

    General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the former military head of state, has disclosed that he was admitted in the same London hospital as late President Muhammadu Buhari before he died on Sunday.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that General Abubakar made this known during a recent interview with Channels Television, where he confirmed that he and the late Nigerian leader had been receiving treatment at the same clinic in the United Kingdom, but Buhari died shortly after he (Abubakar) was discharged.

    He said, “Unfortunately, we were in the hospital together, but I have been discharged.
    “When I heard the news of his passing away, I quickly went there to condole with the family and see what can be done in order to get the corpse ready to be taken home.”

    Reflecting on his decades -long relationship with Buhari, the retired general said it began in 1962 when both joined the Nigerian military.

    “We joined the military; he was my senior. During the unfortunate civil war, we were fighting in the same sector. Gen. Buhari is a gentleman who is very quiet but exceptionally honest. You can trust Buhari with anything on this earth and he will not betray you,” he said.

    The former military leader hailed Buhari’s anti-corruption efforts, recalling his leadership during the military era when he initiated the War Against Indiscipline (WAI). He emphasised that as a democratically elected president, Buhari continued to show commitment to fighting corruption.

    He continued saying, “When he became a democratic president, again he tried his best to make sure that he fights corruption. Unfortunately, some of the officers who served with him are found wanting. They didn’t do as much as is expected of them. May he rest in peace.”

    He further described the death of Buhari as a “big blow to Nigeria,” noting that President Bola Tinubu had dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to London to accompany Buhari’s remains back to Nigeria.

    “With the passing away of President Buhari, politics in Nigeria will certainly change, I hope for the better,” he said.

  • FG releases fresh details for Buhari’s funeral, postpones special FEC meeting indefinitely

    FG releases fresh details for Buhari’s funeral, postpones special FEC meeting indefinitely

    The special Federal Executive Council (FEC) session on Tuesday in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari has been postponed indefinitely.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the presidency to have said the special FEC meeting will no longer be held as announced earlier, given the state funeral in his hometown, Daura, on the same day.

    According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Buhari’s remains will arrive in Nigeria tomorrow by 12 noon.

    “In addition, the Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, a public holiday in honour of the departed Nigerian leader.

    “The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will announce a new date after the funeral proceedings.

    “President Tinubu called for the special FEC session to honour his predecessor for his invaluable contributions to our country.

    “The remains of the former Nigerian leader will arrive from London tomorrow by noon, after which he will be committed to Mother Earth in his home town, in accordance with Islamic rites,” the statement reads.

    Former president Buhari died on Sunday in a London clinic after a prolonged illness.

    President Tinubu declared a national mourning for seven days, with flags at half-staff.

    He also directed Vice President Kashim Shettima and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to join the Buhari family in London to condole with the family and bring the former President’s remains back home.

  • Shettima visits Buhari’s family in London

    Shettima visits Buhari’s family in London

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima, on Monday, paid a condolence visit to the family of late former President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

    Mr Stanley Nkwocha, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, made this known in a statement in Abuja.

    Shettima is in London at the behest of President Bola Tinubu to accompany Buhari’s body to Nigeria for burial at his hometown, Daura, on Tuesday.

    Aged 82, Buhari died on Sunday at a London clinic where he was receiving treatment, having initially travelled for routine medical check-up in April.

    Buhari served as Nigeria’s President from 2015 to 2023, after a distinguished career in the military, including a brief stint as Head of State from 1983 to 1985.

    He survived by his wife, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, and eight children.

    The senior special assistant stated that Shettima also visited the late President’s nephew, Malam Mamman Daura, who is recuperating in a London hospital.

    Nkwocha explained that the condolence visits were conducted while the vice-president awaits the conclusion of procedures and documentation for the repatriation of Buhari’s body to Nigeria.

    He said Shettima was accompanied by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar and Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Sen. Ibrahim Hadejia.

    Buhari tried his best to make Nigeria great – Olu Falae

    A former Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Oba Olu Falae, says late former President Muhammadu Buhari tried his best to make Nigeria a great nation.

    Falae, who is the Olu of ilu-Abo in Akure North Local Government area of Ondo state, stated this in a telephone interview with NAN on Monday in Akure.

    The traditional ruler said that Buhari’s intention was for the betterment of the country. Buhari died at the age of 82 in London on Sunday.

    Falae told NAN that the late former president tried to eliminate corruption from the public sphere by tackling corruption among politicians and civil servants.

    “He did his best and tried to make Nigeria great by wiping out corruption from the society. The intention was an excellent one but to me the approach to achieve it was another matter,” he said.

    Falae, who was the presidential candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in 1999, honoured the courage of the late president in making it a priority to sanitise the polity as a civilian and elected president.

    The former minister of finance enjoined Nigerian leaders to collectively work towards reduction of corrupt practices to the best barest minimum.

    “To me as an opinion, corruption cannot be totally wipe out but if our leaders collectively decide to reduce corruption, they will succeed by living a life of honesty, transparency and integrity.

    “As we can recall, many people were arrested and prosecuted during the Buhari regime but only few were convicted, suggesting that the approach was not the most effective,” he said.

    According to him, leaders in the country must fight corruption in both public and private spheres.

    Also speaking to NAN, Dr Olu Agunloye, former Minister of Power, said that the late former president died at a ripe age having done his best for the country.

    Agunloye asked Nigerians to take it as priority in making the country better by living a life of social justice.

    The former minister added that Nigerians should clamour for a system that is fair to all citizens irrespective of status, religions and ethnicity.

  • Governor Aliyu mourns former president, Buhari

    Governor Aliyu mourns former president, Buhari

    Governor Ahmed Aliyu has expressed deep shock and sadness over the news of the passing of former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Governor, in a statement released through his Director General, Media & Publicity, Abubakar Bawa described the death of the former President as a monumental loss to the entire nation, noting that the vacuum left behind will be difficult to fill.

    “The late President was an embodiment of honesty, sincerity, discipline, and, above all, fear of Allah,” he said.

    “Late Muhammadu Buhari will also be remembered for his uprightness, patriotism, and relentless fight against all forms of corruption,” the Governor added.

    Governor Aliyu prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the late President’s shortcomings, accept his good deeds, grant him the highest place in paradise, and comfort his family during this difficult time.

    On behalf of the Government and good people of Sokoto State, the Governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the late President, the government and people of Katsina State, and Nigerians as a whole over this tragic loss.

    He also appealed to Nigerians to offer prayers for the peaceful repose of the soul of late President Muhammadu Buhari.

  • APC closes national secretariat in honour of Buhari

    APC closes national secretariat in honour of Buhari

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the closure of its National Secretariat in Abuja in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, announced this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

    “As directed by the Acting National Chairman of our party, Malam Bukar Dalori, the party’s national secretariat will be closed from Monday to reopen on Thursday,” he said.

    Morka urged the party’s faithful to use this period of national mourning for quiet reflection and prayers for the repose of the soul of Buhari.

    Buhari, a two term president of Nigeria on the platform of the APC died in a private hospital in London on Sunday.

  • JUST IN: FG declares public holiday to honour late former president, Buhari

    JUST IN: FG declares public holiday to honour late former president, Buhari

    The Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, a public holiday to honour the late former president, Muhammadu Buhari.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) reports that the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement on Monday, released through the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, made the announcement.

    According to the statement, the holiday was announced as part of the seven days of national mourning earlier declared by President Bola Tinubu in honour of Buhari.

    The minister added that the holiday is a mark of respect for the late president’s service to the nation, his contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey, and his enduring legacy in governance and national development.

    The statement reads, “President Muhammadu Buhari served Nigeria with dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of our great nation. This public holiday provides an opportunity for all Nigerians to reflect on his life, leadership, and the values he upheld.”

    He urged citizens to use the day to honour the late president’s memory by promoting peace, patriotism, and national cohesion, in line with his vision for a prosperous and united Nigeria.

    It further stated, “As earlier announced, the national flags are to fly at half-mast for the seven-daymourning period from Sunday, 13th July, 2025.

    “The Federal Government extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late president, the people of Katsina State, and all Nigerians, while praying for the peaceful repose of his soul.”

  • What Lai Mohammed said about Buhari’s death

    What Lai Mohammed said about Buhari’s death

    The former Minister of Information and Culture,  Alhaji Lai Mohammed expressed grief over the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him not just a leader and a boss, but also a mentor, pillar of support, and father figure.

    Mohammed, in a statement he signed on Monday in Abuja, described Buhari’s death as a “personal lost” to him.

    “Many have rightly described him in their tributes as a rare patriot, a man of unwavering faith and character, an incorruptible leader, a humble statesman and the very epitome of honesty.

    “But beyond those noble attributes, President Buhari was a true humanist, a man who constantly prioritised empathy, compassion and the well-being of others in all his actions.

    “Throughout the nearly eight years that I served as the spokesman for his government, he always asked after my well-being and how I was coping with the demands of the job, even though the burden he bore was infinitely heavier,” he said.

    The former Minister further explained that the bond they shared and the trust and confidence Buhari reposed in him, gave him strength, especially during the most difficult times.

    “In his eyes, I could do no wrong, and that unwavering support meant the world to me”.

    He noted that their special relationship transcended their time in office, as Buhari made sure Mohammed kept in touch with him after he left Abuja.

    Mohammed stressed that, during his last visit to Daura, he spent three nights with Buhari.

    “Our final meeting was in Kaduna during the last Ramadan. Though I was informed he normally didn’t receive visitors on that particular day, he still made time for me.

    “We spent many hours together, just the two of us. Little did I know it would be our last meeting on this side of the great divide.

    “When I heard of the illness that took him to London, I continued to check on his condition through his aides, while also praying fervently for his recovery.

    “It was truly a privilege for me to have known and worked with him. I pray that Almighty God will forgive all his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah firdaus.

    “May He also comfort his family and all Nigerians who mourn the loss of this remarkable man,” Mohammed prayed.

  • Former president, Buhari’s burial postponed

    Former president, Buhari’s burial postponed

    The governor of Kastina, Dikko Umaru Radda has announced the postponement of the  burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    According to the State governor while addressing journalists at the Umaru Musa Yaradua International Airport in Katsina on Monday morning, the burial of the former Nigerian leader has been postponed to Tuesday, July 15.

    “The burial arrangement for our father, who died yesterday in London, we have made consultations with the family and people around him in London. We have concluded that the body will arrive Katsina by noon and the burial will take place in Daura at about 2 pm” Governor Radda stated.

    He expressed deep condolences to the family of the late president on behalf of the people and government of Katsina State, describing Buhari as a father figure whose legacy of integrity and service will remain unmatched.

    Security has been beefed up in Daura and surrounding areas in preparation for the funeral, with dignitaries from across the country expected to attend the final rites.

    Buhari died on Sunday July 13 in a UK clinic after battling with a protracted ailment.

  • How top Nigerian celebrities reacted to Buhari’s death 

    How top Nigerian celebrities reacted to Buhari’s death 

    The death of former Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari has triggered a wave of mixed reactions from Nigerians and celebrities alike.

    It would be recalled that Buhari, who ruled Nigeria as military head of state between 1983 and 1985, and later as a two-term civilian president from 2015 to 2023, died in London on Sunday while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness.

    Several Nigerian celebrities have taken to social media to mourn, while some expressed grave sadness over the former Nigerian leader’s death; others, however, were indifferent.

    Pere Egbi, a reality TV star and actor, expressed sadness over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, as he called out Nigerians rejoicing over his death.

    In a series of tweets, Pere acknowledged that Buhari, like every human being, had his flaws, but believed the former president did his best while leading the country.

    Pere condemned those celebrating Buhari’s death, questioning the purpose behind such reactions. “This is a sad day for Nigeria and Nigerians,” he wrote, offering condolences to the former president’s family. He reflected on the nature of death, stating that when it comes, “you are wiped clean off the earth. Nothing else will matter to those you left behind. Whether love or hate or whatever. You’re gone, you’re gone.”

    He reminded Nigerians that the dead are now part of history, accountable only to God.

    Nigerian disc jockey, DJ Switch, described the death of the former president as the “sweet reality of inevitability.” She wrote: “Wow! The sweet reality of inevitability. RIP MF. One down…”

    Controversial Nigerian singer, Portable, described Buhari as the man who ordered soldiers to shoot people at the Lekki Toll Gate. He admonished the public to do good as he prays the former president died again in Heaven.

    In his words: “The man that said they should shoot our people at The Lekki Still Gate is dead. Let us do good. May he die again in Heaven. He was the one that ordered the shooting, not Tinubu. He died in London”.

    Kemi Olunloyo expressed hope that Buhari and her late father, the former Oyo State Governor, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo, can finally meet in hell. She further added that she hopes the family of the late Nigerian leader can tell the world his real age.

    Her post reads: “BREAKING. Finally, Buhari and my father, Olunloyo, meet for the FIRST TIME at the Gates of Hell. Same year, 2025 My father never met Buhari despite being in the same political party, the APC, and ending my dad’s democracy in 1983. Buhari dying on Wole Soyinka’s birthday is a sign of FREEDOM I hope Ayisha remarries and everyone he locked up is released, and all the journalists he executed during his military reign continue to rest in peace.

    I hope his family can now tell the world he was 89 and not 82 because he was 48, the same age as my dad in 1983 when he took over Shagari’s democracy. Only you? He was the leader of Nigeria when I was 19, 51, and 55. SUN RE OOO BOO HARRY”.

    Reality star, Tacha described the late president as a significant figure in Nigeria’s history. She wrote, “No matter your views, Muhammadu Buhari was a major part of Nigeria’s story. RIP”

    Also, Reality TV star, Leo Dasilva disclosed that Buhari’s influence in the north was substantial and may be difficult for the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) party to replace easily.

    He wrote: “President Buhari’s passing could make the capture of the north a bit complex for APC.”