President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,on Tuesday(July 15,2025) led a gathering of African leaders, high-ranking government officials, traditional rulers, political leaders, and citizens to pay final respects to former President Muhammadu Buhari, who was laid to rest in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.
According to a statement by Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed,the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Katsina State,Dikko Umar Radda,the burial prayer, conducted according to Islamic rites by Chief Imam of Daura, Sheikh Alhaji Salisu Rabiu, attracted international dignitaries including President Umaro Sissoco Embalo of Guinea-Bissau, Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Lamine Zeine, and former President of Niger, Issoufou Mahamadou, demonstrating the regional respect for the late Nigerian leader.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Former Vice Presidents,Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Atiku Abubakar were among the most prominent Nigerian leaders present, alongside National Assembly leadership, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives,Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, Senator Kawu Sumaila, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Senator Sani Bello, and non-serving Senators Abu Ibrahim and Senator Yariman Bakura.
Security chiefs in attendance included Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Y. Buratai (rtd), and former Director General of DSS, Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
Katsina State Governor,Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda, led the state government delegation, which included Deputy Governor, Faruq Lawal Jobe, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Nasir Yahaya Daura, Secretary to the State Government(SSG), Barr. Abdullahi Garba Faskari and members of the State Executive Council. Federal government officials present included Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters,Ibrahim Kabir Masari among others.
The ceremony was attended by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, alongside governors from multiple states including Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Kaduna State,Uba Sani, Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, Kebbi State, Nasir Idris, Zamfara State,Dauda Lawal, Sokoto State,Ahmed Aliyu and Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Others included Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, and Cross River State, Bassey Edet Otu.
Former governors in attendance included Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina), Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), and Yahaya Bello (Kogi).
Private sector leaders Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Sayyu Dantata, and Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal also joined the dignitaries, while traditional rulers including emir of Katsina,HRH Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman and the emir of Daura,HRH Alhaji Faruq Umar Faruq among others.
Minister of Agriculture Senator Abubakar Kyari, former Minister of Communications Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and Mr. Seyi Tinubu, son of President Tinubu, were among other notable attendees.
The funeral prayer held at the PMB Helicopter Ground in Daura witnessed an outpouring of emotion from citizens across the state and nation who came to bid farewell to one of Nigeria’s most influential leaders.
Prayers were offered to Almighty Allah for the forgiveness of his shortcomings and to grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, while strength and comfort were sought for the bereaved family, the people of Daura, Katsina State, and all Nigerians mourning this monumental loss.
