The Presidency has announced that the previously scheduled special Federal Executive Council session on Tuesday, intended to honour former President Muhammadu Buhari, will no longer be held as planned due to the state funeral taking place in his hometown, Daura, on the same day.
A statement by the Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, stated that in addition to the announcement, the government has also declared Tuesday, July 15, a public holiday in honour of the departed Nigerian leader.
He also disclosed that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation will announce a new date for the council meeting after the funeral proceedings.
It would be recalled that President Tinubu called for the special FEC session to honour his predecessor for his invaluable contributions to our country.
Inter-Ministerial Committee For State Funeral
Equally, President Tinubu approved the constitution of an Inter-Ministerial Committee for the State Funeral of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.
The Committee, which is chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, is tasked with the responsibility of planning and coordinating a befitting state burial for the late elder statesman.
Other Members of the Committee include the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, the Minister of Defence; Minister of Information and National Orientation.
Others are the Minister of Works, the Honourable Minister of Interior
, Honourable Minister of FCT, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare; Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, National Security Adviser
Also to serve in the inter-ministerial committee are the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters; Inspector General of Police, Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Chief of Defence Staff, as well as the Office of the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (GSO), will serve as the Secretariat to the Committee.
In honour of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, President Tinubu has also directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to open condolence registers at the entrance of their respective offices for the public to pay their respects to the late Elder Statesman.
Additionally, a central condolence register for the diplomatic community and the general public will be opened at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja.
The remains of the former Nigerian leader will arrive from London on Tuesday, July 15th by noon, after which he will be committed to Mother Earth in his home town, Daura by Islamic rites.
President Buhari died on Sunday in a London Clinic after a prolonged illness.
President Tinubu declared a national mourning for seven days, with flags at half-staff.
He also directed Vice President Kashim Shettima and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila to join the Buhari family in London to condole with the family and bring the former President’s remains back home.