By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has described as colourful, excellent and unprecedented, President Bola Tinubu’s state burial for the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the gesture was a befitting tribute to the memory of one of Nigeria’s most charismatic leaders.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa and Secretary, Dapo Okubanjo, TMSG noted that the late former President deserved all the honour President Tinubu decided to accord him in death.
The statement read in part, “Like many Nigerians, we were overwhelmed by a sense of loss on the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari but we are elated that his successor, President Bola Tinubu did not hold back in honoring his memory.
”This is not necessarily because they were both allies in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but also because of the former President’s legacy of service to the nation in various leadership roles he held until 2023.
”So it was not out of place that President Tinubu’s first response was to dispatch a top level government team led by Vice President Kashim Shettima to accompany the former President’s remains back to the country.
”This is in addition to a seven-day national mourning period during which the flag would fly at half-staff nationwide, in honour of a man who had a deep commitment to the unity and progress of our nation.
”To underline the importance the government placed on a befitting honour to Buhari’s legacy, the state funeral was anchored by a 16-member high-powered, interministerial committee.
”This paved the way for President Tinubu to pull out all the stops to ensure a befitting state burial worthy of the manner Buhari dedicated his life and times for the country, with him at the forefront as chief mourner.
”Worthy of note, for us, is the way the former President’s remains, draped in our national flag, were brought back to Nigeria in full dignity. It was indeed a true mark of honour for a person of Buhari’s stature.
”And lest we forget, the Tinubu administration would be holding a valedictory federal cabinet session in former President Buhari’s honour which would also afford the President and his administration ample opportunity to immortalize his predecessor.”
The group, however, urged Nigerians to emulate the late former leader’s belief in Nigeria’s potential as well as his personal integrity.