President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday visited the family of the late President Muhammadu Buhari at their Kaduna residence, offering heartfelt condolences and a firm promise to continue the legacies of his predecessor.
The President was received by Hajiya Aisha Buhari, the widow of the former leader, her eldest son, Yusuf, and other members of the family and close associates. The visit underscored the deep respect and continuity between the current and previous administrations.
Addressing the family in a somber tone, President Tinubu assured them that the nation shared in their sorrow and stood with them during this period of grief. He extolled the virtues of the late President, framing them as a guiding spirit for the nation.
”We are just here to assure you that we share in your grief, we share in your pain,” the President said. He further articulated the philosophical underpinning of his mission, stating, ”A loss in flesh is not a loss in the spirit, and the spirit that he left with us is a spirit of hard work, dedication, patriotism and honesty, and we are doing that.”
In a definitive pledge, President Tinubu committed his government to the path charted by Buhari. ”We assure you and the entire family that we will continue with our leader’s legacy, the mark he made for Nigeria. We will continue on the path of honesty, integrity, and great character that he imbued in us.” He concluded his remarks with a prayer for the nation: ”May God help Nigeria, keep us united and together in the promised land.”
In an emotional response, a visibly moved Aisha Buhari expressed her profound gratitude to President Tinubu, his government, and their families for their unwavering support. She highlighted the significance of the visit, noting it was a tremendous source of consolation.
“I would like to use this medium to thank you once again, the first lady, the wife of the Vice President, for standing by me and my family,” she said.
Reflecting on her husbandโs life and principles, she urged the nation to emulate his finest qualities and offered a prayer for President Tinubuโs leadership. ”I would like to pray for Nigeria, for peace to reign, for unity of the country, and for you, President Tinubu, to carry on with my late husband’s legacy of honesty, integrity, tolerance, accountability, and justice.”
The Presidentโs delegation underscored the visitโs importance, comprising the highest ranks of the nationโs leadership. He was accompanied by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. Also present were the governors of Kwara, Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq; Yobe, Mai Mala Buni; Borno, Babagana Zulum; and Sokoto, Ahmed Aliyu.
The top-level delegation included key members of the federal executive council: Wale Edun, the Minister of Finance; Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of Budget and Planning; Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence; and Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser.
Earlier in the day, the President participated in a celebratory event, showcasing the dual nature of leadership that intertwines duty with communal celebration. President Tinubu graced the wedding of Nasirudeen Abdulaziz Yari, the son of Senator Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara West.
The ceremony, held at the historic Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna, saw Nasirudeen tie the knot with Safiyya Shehu Idris. In a significant traditional role, President Tinubu, accompanied by senior government officials, received the groom’s hand-in-marriage on behalf of the Yari family after the bride’s representative, Ibrahim Ashiru, confirmed the payment of the N1 million dowry.
The President commended both families for upholding noble traditions and offered counsel to the new couple, encouraging them to build their home on a foundation of faith, love, and mutual respect.
The colourful occasion, which drew dignitaries from across the country, including traditional rulers, business leaders, and politicians, was marked by prayers for the President and the nation offered by renowned cleric Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau and the officiating Chief Imam of the mosque, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman.
Discussion about this post