*SGF Akume Leads NSA, CDS, DSS DG, Others To Daura
*FG, North-West Govs Grant Public Holiday Today
*Katsina Gov, Radda, Profiles Buhari As Pride Of North-West
Ahead of today’s burial of the remains of immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, varied arrangements have been put in place for a successful interment.
Buhari reportedly died in a London hospital at 4.30pm last Sunday, throwing Nigerians into mixed emotions.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who led a Federal Government (FG) delegation to the United Kingdom (UK), on President Bola Tinubu’s directive, to accompany the body back to Nigeria, yesterday met with the family of the deceased former president in London.
Shettima consoled the former first family and prayed with them for the repose of their patriarch.
SGF Akume Leads NSA, CDS, DSS DG, Others To Daura
To ensure smooth interment and give the late leader a befitting state burial, President Tinubu constituted an inter-ministerial committee for the funeral.
This was disclosed in a statement by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information in the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
Tinubu named Akume as head of the committee that includes Ministers, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu , and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
The committee will work in collaboration with the Katsina State government and Buhari’s family.
These were disclosed by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a press briefing on Monday.
He listed other members as 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; Minister of Interior; and Minister of the FCT; Minister of Housing and Urban Development.
Others are Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare; Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy; and the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.
Also on the committee are the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters; Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS); and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
He stated that the Office of the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, will serve as secretariat to the committee.
Idris further noted that 25 members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) have been directed to proceed to Katsina to participate in the full schedule of burial rites and remain for the third-day prayers in Daura on Wednesday, July 16.
“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 added.
FG, North-West Govs Declare Tuesday, July 15 Public Holiday
It is a work-free day today, to honour the memory of the late Buhari, according to the FG and Governors of North-West states. Katsina, Buhari’s state of origin, is in Nigeria’s North-West geopolitical zone.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement in a statement on Monday.
Toeing the line, the Northwest Governors Forum declared Tuesday a public holiday across all seven states of the region.
The Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, in a statement expressed profound grief over the demise of the elder statesman, describing it as a colossal loss to Nigeria.
“The Northwest Governors Forum receives with shock and deep sorrow the news of the passing of our beloved former President, General Muhammadu Buhari, who breathed his last yesterday (Sunday) at a hospital in the United Kingdom,” the statement read.
He described Buhari as a father, leader, and the pride of the North-West region, stressing that the former president lived a life defined by selfless service, unwavering integrity, and patriotic sacrifice.
The Forum, as a mark of honour, unanimously declared Tuesday a public holiday across Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara States to allow citizens to pay their respects.
“This gesture reflects the deep reverence we hold for a man who dedicated his entire life to serving Nigeria and humanity,” Radda said.
The statement added that the remains of the late president will be flown to Katsina, his hometown, by noon on Tuesday, while burial prayers and interment are scheduled for 2pm in accordance with Islamic rites.
