Solemn farewell: Pallbearers sing ‘God be with you till we meet again’, with Buhari’s casket

Stanley Ihedigbo

A solemn farewell ceremony was held for former President Muhammadu Buhari, as pallbearers marched with his casket to the sound of the hymn “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.”

The dignified procession was a fitting tribute to the late leader, who was remembered for his service to the nation.

According to the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, the pallbearers wheeled the former leader’s casket in a slow march, passing through a full military guard of honour comprising six officers and 96 soldiers drawn from the Nigerian Armed Forces.

President Tinubu and others walked behind the casket trolley in a solemn procession.

The pallbearers escorted the casket into a waiting military hearse for the one-hour journey to Daura, where funeral prayers and the burial ceremony would take place.

He noted that President Bola Tinubu received the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina.

“President Tinubu arrived at the airport from Abuja, and inspected a guard of honour before the Nigerian Air Force plane conveying the remains of his predecessor landed at exactly 1:51 p.m.

Former President Buhari passed away on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in a London hospital. Vice President Kashim Shettima, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, President Buhari’s wife Aisha, and other family members accompanied President Buhari’s remains to Nigeria.

“President Tinubu, along with Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Umaru Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Lamine Zeine, former President of Niger, Issoufou Mahamadou, and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, received the casket of the late president at the foot of the aircraft”, he explained.

Onanuga further said that a joint team of military pallbearers comprising nine senior officers laid the casket, draped with the Nigerian flag, on a trolley.

“The team included Major-General Mohammed Usman, Major-General Oluwafemi Williams, Major-General Shuaibu Nudu, Rear Admiral Suleiman Dahun, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ajodo, Rear Admiral Samuel Ngatuwa, Air Vice Marshal Adeniyi Herbert Amesinlola, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sanni, and Air Vice Marshal Obinna Obiabaka. Major General Mike Alechenu coordinated the team.

“The state funeral featured full military honours, including a 21-gun salute”, he stated.