Members of the diplomatic corps throughout the week, trooped into Nigeria House in New York to pay their final respects to Nigeria’s late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
By Prudence Arobani
Members of the diplomatic corps throughout the week, trooped into Nigeria House in New York to pay their final respects to Nigeria’s late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ambassadors and UN officials from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Americas and multilateral organisations, throughout the week, also took time to sign the condolence register since news of Buhari’s passing broke.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each diplomat’s condolence message offered personal reflections on Buhari’s legacy of service, discipline and unwavering commitment to Africa’s place in global affairs.UN Secretary-General António Guterres had, in his condolence message, described Buhari as a leader whose unwavering dedication to Nigeria, Africa and global cooperation will stand as his enduring legacy.
“President Buhari will be remembered
for his steadfast commitment to selfless service, his leadership in advancing peace and stability across the African region and his dedication to strengthening institutions in Nigeria.”
Deputy UN Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, similarly, described the late Nigerian leader as a man of unwavering discipline, deep conviction and steadfast patriotism, whose legacy would endure far beyond Nigeria’s borders.“We will always stand on his shoulders as we endeavour to serve humanity as he did with grace,” wrote Mohammed, who served under Buhari both as Minister of Environment and earlier at the Petroleum Trust Fund.
The Permanent Representative of China to the UN, Amb. Fu Cong, praised Buhari for solidifying Nigeria’s friendship with China.Fu said: “President Buhari was also dear friend of the Chinese people, and made important contributions to China-Nigeria friendship, cooperation and overall bilateral ties.”
Similarly, Russian Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva said Buhari “contributed so much in developing friendly relations between Nigeria and Russia, and we are grateful for that”.The Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, “expressed sincere condolences to the family, the government and the people of Nigeria for the loss of former President”.
Lamiu Dibbo, Ambassador of The Gambia said Buhari demonstrated “strong leadership role during a political impasse in The Gambia in 2017” adding, “the democracy we are enjoying is synonymous to Buhari”
Amb. Michael Kanu of Sierra Leone, in his condolence message, said Buhari “was a symbol of hope for the West African region”.
“New York City is the proud home of many Nigerians and we join them in mourning this loss” was the condolence message signed by Aissata Camara, Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff to the Mayor of New York.
The Egyptian envoy to the UN described Buhari as “a great and visionary African leader and a wise and sage statesman”.
“Buhari was very dear to all of us Egyptians. He has promoted good relations with his brother President of Egypt Abdelfattah Alssisy,” said Amb. Osama AbdelKhalek of Egypt.
UNDP Africa Director, Ahunna Eziakonwa, in her condolence message, said “Nigeria and Africa are fortunate to have had late President Buhari’s service in leadership for more than four decades”
In his tribute, Amb. Suleiman Suleima of Tanzania wrote: “We are saddened at the loss of this good man whose ideas and accomplishments we have long respected. He was a wise and valiant leader”.
Amb. Samadou Usman of the Republic of Niger said “Buhari indelibly marked the political life of Nigeria during his tenures as a military and democratically elected leader of this brotherly country”.
Also, Amb. Hari Prabowo of Indonesia said “Buhari was a well respected statesman known for his steadfast commitment to regional peace and global security”.
Permanent Representative of Portugal to the UN, Rui Vinhas, in his condolence message, noted the good relationship between Nigeria and Portugal and recalled Buhari’s state visit to Portugal in 2022.
To the Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the UN, Amb. Brian Wallace, Buhari was a “champion of Pan African solidarity and unity and applauded his fight against corruption”.
Amb. Yuri López of Cuba said: “Former President Buhari was a defender of the sovereignty of the People’s and showed his sympathy towards Cuba and its historical leaders.”
Ms Foluke Ojelabi, President, UN Staff Recreation Council-Nigeria Association, said the association of Nigerians in the United Nations, mourned Buhari with “deep sorrow” and “gratitude for a life of service”
Hameed Oyeloyeru, Permanent Observer of OIC to the UN, in his signed condolence message, simply called Buhari “a patriot and a consummate global citizen”.
The ambassador of Mozambique to the UN, Domingos Fernandes, conveyed his country’s “heartfelt condolences and solidarity” on Buhari’s passing.
Ambassador Tiémoko Moriko of Côte d’Ivoire described Buhari as an “eminent statesman and a true friend” of Coted’ Ivoire”.
Ethiopia’s Ambassador Tesfaye Sabo, writing about Buhari, said the death of a “statesman of his caliber is a loss to all of us Africans”.
Amb. Zénon Mukongo of the Democratic Republic of the Congo saluted “his leadership on various issues, including anti-corruption”.
To Amb. Godfrey Kwoba of Uganda, Buhari was “celebrated as a patriot, soldier, statesman and not only a Nigerian but a pan-Africanist”
Permanent Representative of Ghana to the UN, Harold Agyeman, in a similar vein, said: “The late President Buhari was undoubtedly a Nigerian patriot, an African statesman and a true pan Africanist”.
Permanent Representative of Czech Republic to the UN Jakub Kulhánek conveyed “heartfelt condolences” on the passing of Buhari.
Permanent Representative of Austria to the UN Amb. James Larsen, expressed “most sincere condolences” over Buhari’s passing.
Amb. Jérôme Bonnafont, Permanent Representative of France to the UN and Amb. Kofi Akakpo, Chargé of Togo to the UN also paid glowing tributes to Buhari.
The others who signed the condolence register for Buhari were ambassadors of the Republic of Korea, Pakistan, Romania, Vietnam and Equatorial Guinea.
NAN recalled that Buhari ruled Nigeria as a military leader from 1983 to 1985 and returned as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023.
He died on Sunday, July 13, at a London hospital at the age of 82 and was buried in his hometown in Daura, Nigeria, on Tuesday. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)