.Leaders converge on Daura
.Like FG, North West Govs declare holiday
By Uche Onyeali, Abuja
Federal Government has declared today, July 15, 2025, as a public holiday in honour of late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Besides, leaders and Nigerians from all works of life are expected to witness Buhari’s burial at 2: pm today in his home, Daura, Katsina State.
He passed away on Sunday July 13, 2025 in a London hospital at the age of 82 after an undisclosed protracted illness.
The federal government’s decision of in honour the late former president was announced yesterday by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, following the approval of President Bola Tinubu.
The declaration comes as part of the ongoing seven-day national mourning period earlier announced by the president to pay tribute to Buhari’s life and legacy.
The demise of the former president, was confirmed in a statement by his former Senior Special Adviser ,Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, shortly after the ex-Presidents’s death at about 4:30 pm on Sunday evening.
In a statement by the Ministry of Interior’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, Tunji-Ojo described Buhari as a leader who served Nigeria with dedication, and integrity.
He added that the public holiday is meant to offer Nigerians a moment to reflect on the late president’s contributions to the country’s democratic journey and national development.
“In furtherance to the seven days of national mourning declared by President Bola Tinubu, the Federal Government has declared Tuesday, July 15, 2025, as a public holiday in honour of the late former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari.
“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.
“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”, the statement partly read.
The minister 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.
“As earlier announced, the national flags are to fly at half mast for the seven days of mourning 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,” the minister added.
Tinubu’ll To Receive Ex-president’s Remains – Idris
President Bola Tinubu will receive the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Katsina today.
This was announced yesterday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a press briefing in Abuja yesterday.
Idris, said Buhari’s remains are expected to arrive by noon and would be received at the airport with a brief military ceremony.
The Minister added that after the reception in Katsina, the body would be transported to Daura, Buhari’s hometown, for the funeral prayer and interment at the late president’s residence.
He also disclosed that Tinubu has approved a state burial for the late president and constituted an inter-ministerial committee to coordinate the events.
The committee is chaired by George Akume, secretary to the government of the federation, SGF, and includes ministers of defence, interior, finance, health, FCT, culture, housing, and others.
The office of the permanent secretary, general services office will serve as the committee’s secretariat.
The minister said 25 members of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, had been directed to attend the full burial programme in Katsina and stay 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,” Idris said.
He announced the postponement of the special FEC meeting earlier scheduled for Tuesday, July 15. It will now be held on Friday, July 18.
Idris said Tinubu has declared seven days of national mourning from Sunday, July 13, with the national flag flying at half-mast across the country.
He added that Tuesday has been declared a public holiday in honour of Buhari.
The Minister ❤️said condolence registers have been opened at all federal ministries, departments, and agencies; the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja; and Nigerian embassies and missions abroad.
He said Tinubu continues to receive condolence messages from world leaders, describing it as a testament to Buhari’s global legacy.
Similarly, like the federal government, North West Governors Forum, has declared Today, a public holiday across the seven states of the region to honour the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Forum’s Chairman and Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, in a statement said “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 at a hospital in the United Kingdom.”
AljazirahNigeria reports that states in the region are: Kaduna, Katsina, Kano, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara states.
“This gesture reflects the deep reverence we hold for a man who dedicated his entire life to serving Nigeria and humanity,” Radda said.
The Forum also urged Nigerians to pray for the peaceful repose of Buhari’s soul, while urging unity in grief.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee to oversee the state burial, in collaboration with the Katsina State government and the family of Buhari.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja, yesterday.
The committee according to Idris is chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
Other members are: the 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; Minister of the 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; and the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.
The committee members include: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters; Inspector-General of Police; Director-General of the Department of State Services; and the Chief of Defence Staff.
He stated that the Office of the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, will serve as the Secretary to the committee.
Idris further noted that 25 members of the Federal Executive Council 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 the same day .
