Dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond thronged Katsina State on Tuesday for the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in a London clinic after an undisclosed illness.
According to a 9am News report, Buhari’s body arrived at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina two days after his death. His remains, draped in the Nigerian flag, were lowered from a Nigerian Air Force aircraft by military officials before being flown to his hometown, Daura, for final burial rites.
Leading the high-profile delegation was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
State governors in attendance included Dikko Radda (Katsina), Babagana Zulum (Borno), and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos). Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu was joined by Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group.
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu was accompanied by Fatimah Abbas and Laila Barau, wives of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Deputy Senate President, respectively.
Also present were Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Deputy Chief of Staff Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, members of the federal and Katsina State executive councils, Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibril, and former Minister of Information Lai Mohammed.
In addition, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sent a delegation to pay last respects to the late statesman.
President Tinubu was on hand at the airport to personally receive Buhari’s body before accompanying the remains to Daura for burial according to Islamic rites.
Buhari, who died at the age of 82, was Nigeria’s second-longest-serving president, ruling first as a military leader from January 1984 to August 1985, and later as a democratically elected leader from 2015 to 2023.
As the nation mourns, tributes continue to pour in for the late president, remembered by many for his commitment to discipline, anti-corruption, and national service.
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