The remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari arrived at the Umar Musa Yar’adua Airport in Katsina State on Tuesday.
A delegation led by President Bola Tinubu was at the airport to receive the body of the late former President, which was conveyed by the Nigerian Air Force aircraft.
At the airport are governors, ministers, National Assembly members and other government officials.
Buhari’s body departed London in the United Kingdom for Daura, hometown of the ex-President, ahead of a state burial in his honour.
Tinubu received the remains of the former President in Katsina, ahead of his final interment.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing in Abuja.
According to Idris, 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 said 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 said another register is to be opened at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
Idris also noted that 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 ensure what he described as a “dignified and well-coordinated programme,” Idris said the President 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 further announced 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.
