By Attah Ede
The body of Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, on early hours of Tuesday, left London, the United Kingdom, for Nigeria to Daura, Katsina State, ahead of a state burial.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, lead a high-level Federal Government delegation to London, where documentation and logistical arrangements for the repatriation of the former president’s remains was concluded before departing for Nigeria this morning.
Our correspondent gathered that the body of the late ex- president was being taking on Nigerian Air Force craft .
The federal government, had on Monday, declared that President Bola Tinubu will receive the former President’s body in Katsina ahead of his final interment in Daura.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja.
He explained that the remains of late Buhari, who died on Sunday in a London hospital, is expected to arrive in Nigeria by noon on Tuesday.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, will personally receive the remains of the former President in Katsina.
“Upon arrival in Katsina, a brief military ceremony will be held at the airport before the body is moved to Daura.
“The Jana’iza (funeral prayer) will take place thereafter, followed by interment at the late President’s residence,” Idris said.
“As part of national mourning, Tinubu has directed that condolence registers be opened across all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as at Nigerian embassies and missions abroad and another register to be opened at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
“The condolences coming in from Heads of State and Governments across the globe are a testament to the global stature and legacy of President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.
To ensure what he described as a “dignified and well-coordinated programme,” Idris said the President has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
“Furthermore, 25 members of the Federal Executive Council have been directed to proceed to Katsina for the burial rites and to remain in Daura for the Third-Day prayers scheduled for Wednesday”,’Idris explained
He maintained that the committee will work in collaboration with the Katsina State Government and the Buhari family.
