President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the formation of an Inter-Ministerial Committee to oversee the state burial of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in London after a prolonged illness.
The Committee, chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, is charged with coordinating what has been described as a “befitting state funeral” for the former Nigerian leader.
“The President has directed the constitution of a committee to ensure all aspects of the state burial are handled with utmost diligence and honour,” said Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, in a statement issued on Monday.
Other members of the committee include key figures in the federal cabinet such as the Ministers of Finance, Defence, Works, Interior, Budget and Economic Planning, as well as the National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services.
The Chief of Defence Staff and several presidential aides also form part of the high-level committee.
To facilitate the committee’s work, the Office of the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, will serve as its Secretariat.
In further honour of the late President Buhari, President Tinubu has instructed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to set up condolence registers at the entrances of their offices for members of the public to pay tribute.
Additionally, two central condolence registers will be opened for the diplomatic corps and general public—one at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the other at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja.
“The registers will allow Nigerians and members of the international community to express their respect and condolences to the Buhari family,” Imohiosen added.
