President Tinubu receives ex-president Buhari’s remains in Katsina airport

The remains of ex-president Muhammadu Buhari arrived at the Umar Musa Yar’adua Airport in Katsina State on Tuesday.

President Bola Tinubu led a delegation to the airport and received the body of the late former President, which was transported by the Nigerian Air Force aircraft.

Governors, ministers, National Assembly members and other government officials were also at the airport to receive the remains of the former Nigerian leader.

Buhari’s body departed London in the United Kingdom for Daura, his hometown, ahead of a state burial in his honour.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, earlier disclosed this protocol on Monday during a press briefing in Abuja.

Idris stated that the body of the former president, 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.

The minister stated that 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.

He added that another register is to be opened at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.

Idris also said world leaders have continued to send in condolence messages.

“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 execute what he described as a “dignified and well-coordinated programme,” for the late former head of State, Idris said the president Tinubu has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

The committee will work in collaboration with the Katsina State Government and the Buhari family.

The minister also revealed that 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.