President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will personally receive the body of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina on Tuesday, July 15, as arrangements for the state burial enter final stages.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this at a press conference in Abuja on Monday. He also announced the full programme for the burial of the former leader, who died in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
According to Idris, a high-powered Federal Government delegation led by Vice President Kashim Shettima is already in London to finalise arrangements for the repatriation of the late President’s remains.
“The remains of the former President are expected to arrive Katsina by 12 noon tomorrow,” the minister said, adding that President Tinubu will be on ground to receive the body.
He said a brief military ceremony will take place at the airport before the body is moved to Daura, where the Jana’iza (funeral prayer) and interment will be held at the late President’s residence.
To coordinate the national burial, President Tinubu has set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume. The committee includes ministers, top government officials, service chiefs and presidential aides, while the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, will serve as the committee’s secretariat.
President Tinubu has also declared a seven-day national mourning period, which began on Sunday, July 13. Throughout the period, all national flags are to be flown at half-mast across Nigeria and at diplomatic missions abroad.
“All state governments and the private sector are directed to comply accordingly,” Idris said.
The Federal Government has further declared Tuesday, July 15, a public holiday to allow Nigerians participate in the final farewell.
In addition, 25 members of the Federal Executive Council have been mandated to attend the full schedule of the burial activities in Katsina and to remain in Daura for the third-day prayer on Wednesday, July 16.
Condolence registers have been opened in all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja, and Nigerian embassies and missions across the world.
Idris confirmed that President Tinubu is receiving condolence messages from world leaders, describing the reactions as a reflection of Buhari’s global image and enduring legacy.
In honour of the late leader, the Federal Executive Council meeting initially scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, has been shifted to Friday, July 18.
“As we prepare to lay one of Nigeria’s most respected statesmen to rest, the Federal Government calls on all Nigerians to reflect and pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of our former leader,” Idris added.
