President Bola Tinubu will personally receive the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari when they arrive 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, his 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 the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume, and includes the 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, have 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 Federal Executive Council, 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 today 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.
