Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari as a monumental loss not only to his family, the people of Daura, and Katsina State, but also to the entire nation and the African continent.

Speaking after a special prayer for the repose of the late President’s soul at his residence in Daura on Wednesday, the Vice President disclosed that President Bola Tinubu is deeply pained by the passing of his predecessor.

“The President was personally pained by the loss. He sent me to London earlier to visit the late President. I was there for two days. When he answered the call of Allah, the President again directed me and the Chief of Staff to accompany the family and bring the body back home,” Shettima said.

He noted that people from across the world have reached out to commiserate with President Tinubu over the loss of the elder statesman.

“Every soul shall taste the torment of death,” he remarked, adding, “Death is an inevitable destiny that hangs over every person. We are all but travellers with our bags packed, waiting for the train.”

The Vice President prayed for Allah to grant the soul of the late President eternal rest in Al-Jannah Firdaus and protect the family he left behind.

In consultation with President Tinubu, the Buhari family, and the Katsina State Government, it was agreed that a larger prayer session would be held on Thursday in Daura to formally conclude the mourning rites.

Shettima emphasised that while the formal prayer is scheduled for Thursday at noon, Nigerians from all walks of life are still welcome to extend condolences to the government and people of Katsina State. “But the formal mourning ceremony will come to an end tomorrow,” he noted.

Earlier, Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, said Buhari’s passing was a significant loss to the state, Nigeria, and the African continent. He urged leaders to preserve the legacy of transparency, honesty, and accountability that Buhari championed.

“Buhari lived and died for the people,” the governor said, while calling on citizens to continue praying for the late President’s soul.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, also extolled the former President’s virtues, saying:

“We are here to pray for the repose of our former leader. May Allah accept his soul. Yesterday, we witnessed his burial here in Daura, attended by people from all walks of life, including President Tinubu. Today, we are here again to offer our condolences and prayers.”

Minister of Labour and Employment, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, who served under Buhari, praised the late President’s integrity and leadership qualities.

“Buhari tried his best to fight corruption at all levels. He worked to improve the economy, and we thank Allah for giving us a leader of such calibre,” Dingyadi said.

Also present at the prayer and condolence visit were Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Minister of Environment, Alhaji Balarabe Abbas; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud; Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Prince Shaibu Abubakar; and Minister of State for Works, Barr. Bello Goronyo.

Several prominent figures from across party lines also attended, including: 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former SGF Amb. Babagana Kingibe, former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai, former Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika, former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, former FCT Minister Malam Musa Bello, former Minister of Water Resources Malam Suleiman Adamu, former NIA DG Ambassador Rufai Ahmed, and Emir of Daura, HRH Alhaji Umar Farouk.