By Salisu Sani-Idris

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

In his condolence message on Sunday in Abuja, Shettima said Nigeria has lost one of its greatest leaders of all time.

He described the death of Buhari, who died on Sunday at a clinic in the United Kingdom at the age of 82, as the biggest loss Nigeria has ever incurred in recent times.

Shettima, who recently visited Buhari in London at the behest of President Bola Tinubu, regretted that the former president eventually succumbed to the cold hands of death.

According to him, Buhari died when he was being expected to recover soon, saying that the loss is “too cruel than terms could give out.

“It is a black Sunday in Nigeria! My heart is overwhelmed by grief, as the nation mourns one of its greatest leaders of all time, His Excellency, former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

“This loss is too cruel than terms could give out – coming at a time I was anticipating his quick recovery after visiting him at the hospital in the United Kingdom.”

The vice-president said great leaders like the late Buhari were very rare to come by in a lifetime.

“His legacies as an archetypal public servant, having served in several positions in the military before ascending the highest office in the land as Head of State.

“And civilian President after two decades, will continue to serve as a leading light for future leaders to follow. The late Pa Buhari dedicated his active years to serving Nigeria and the people.

“He was a true democrat in all sense of the word, and his loyalty to his country, uncompromising stance on unity and vision for a greater Nigeria contributed in no small measure to keeping the nation as one.

“Indeed, he lived a life that transcended the ordinary—a life of selflessness, a life defined by bravery in the face of adversity and integrity in public service,” Shettima added.

He expressed deep condolences to the Buhari family, the government and people of Katsina State, as well as the Nigerian government and Nigerians.

Shettima urged them to find solace in the fact that the former Nigerian leader “would continue to live amongst us through his legacies already engraved in the very fabric of the Nigerian State.” (NAN)(www.nannees.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani