A long list of distinguished individuals attended the funeral of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Daura, Katsina, including President Bola Tinubu, his counterpart in Guinea-Bissau, Umaru Sissoco Embaló, Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine of Niger, and former President Issoufou Mahamadou. Vice President Kashim Shettima was also in attendance, along with previous Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Yemi Osinbajo, governors and former governors, ministers, businesspeople, and Aliko Dangote.
In his eulogy, Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, remarked that the deceased former president was a fine man whose evaluation should not be limited to his eight years in office.
Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, also paid praise to Kukah, characterizing Buhari as a leader who came, saw, and conquered.
The late former president’s 82-year journey on Earth came to an end yesterday at precisely 5:50 p.m. when his remains were dropped into Mother Earth.
Gen. Chris Musa, the Chief of Defense Staff, reviewed the late Nigerian president’s biography and lavished praise on him and his leadership style before to Buhari’s burial.
Before the grave was covered in accordance with Islamic customs relevant to the Daura Emirate, clerics conducted the obligatory Islamic ceremonies, and the military also performed the customary military honors due to a former general and president.
Throughout the funeral rites, Vice President Shettima, who sat at the gravesite to oversee the burial, and other prominent leaders donned somber attire.
Prior to Buhari’s burial, Gen. Chris Musa, the Chief of Defense Staff, read the late Nigerian president’s biography and lavished praise on him and his management style.
The military also performed the customary military honors that a former president and general were entitled to, and clerics conducted the required Islamic ceremonies prior to the grave being covered in conformity with Daura Emirate’s Islamic customs.
Along with other prominent officials, Vice President Shettima sat at the gravesite to oversee the burial and maintained a solemn expression during the funeral ceremonies. The large property and surrounding areas in Daura were overrun by supporters who wanted to get a last look at the deceased military and civilian leader, making it difficult for the military and other security forces to keep the mob under control. Thousands of Nigerians had been waiting for the last ceremonies and burial when the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari were transported in a motorcade from the Musa Yar’Adua International Airport to his rural residence in Daura. The final burial rites were performed by Islamic clerics and military officials after the military hearse carrying the bodies arrived at the large compound at 4:25 pm.
Vice President Kassim Shettima and a few members of Buhari’s close family, including his wife Aisha, escorted the body to Daura. Born in Daura in modern-day Katsina State, Buhari served as military ruler of Nigeria from 1983 to 1985 before returning as civilian president in 2015 and handing over office to President Bola Tinubu in 2023. At the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina, President Bola Tinubu received his remains from London prior to the final burial. Tinubu arrived from Abuja at 1:42 p.m. and inspected a guard of honor before the Nigerian Air Force plane carrying his predecessor’s remains landed at precisely 1:51 pm.
President Buhari’s wife, Aisha, Femi Gbajabiamila, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other family members traveled to Nigeria with his remains.The late president’s casket was received at the foot of the aircraft by President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Guinea-Bissau President Umaru Sissoco Embaló, Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, former Niger President Issoufou Mahamadou, and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.Nine senior officers made up the combined squad of military pallbearers who placed the casket, covered in the Nigerian flag, on a trolley.
Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ajodo, Rear Admiral Samuel Ngatuwa, Major-General Mohammed Usman, Major-General Oluwafemi Williams, Major-General Shuaibu Nuhu, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Herbert Amesinlola, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sanni, and Air Vice Marshal Obinna Obiabaka were among the team members. The team was organized by Major General Mike Alechenu. In time with the hymn “God Be With You Till We Meet Again,” the pallbearers wheeled the former leader’s casket in a slow march, passing through a complete military guard of honor made up of 96 soldiers and six officers from the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Following a mournful procession led by President Tinubu and others, the pallbearers escorted the casket into a military hearse that was waiting for them. The funeral prayers and burial service were held in Daura, an hour away. Full military honors, including a 21-gun salute, were observed at the state funeral. In his homage, Kukah highlighted the late former president’s contributions to the nation’s progress as a statesman and military leader. “I believe President Buhari should be remembered as a good man,” he stated. We ought to consider him as a brilliant guy who made numerous contributions to Nigeria, not only his eight years as president.
“I will always remember you” said Noor, Buhari’s daughter
In an emotional tribute to her father, Noor Buhari, said via Instagram: “I’m heartbroken that we won’t get to share the moments and experiences I had planned for us. “ I’ll always carry your memory with me. I pray that you’re granted the highest place in Jannah, and your soul rests in eternal peace Daddy.” Buhari had humility, delegated power to a fault — Buba Galadima
Similarly, one of his long time friend and a chieftain of New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Buba Galadima, said in his tribute: ”Although I hadn’t met Buhari in the last 10 years, I still cherished our 15 years of working together.
