Remains of late Hajiya Jummai Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, the last wife of Nigeria’s former Prime Minister, Sir Tarawa Balewa, have arrived in Bauchi State, for burial.
President Muhammadu Buhari, after consoling with the family, had directed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, to make an aircraft from the Presidential fleet available for the evacuation of the remains of the deceased from Lagos, where she died in a private hospital, to Bauchi.
Buhari in his condolence message to the family of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday, said the country has lost an outstanding political figure.
In the message sent through the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, President Buhari said: “It was with the deepest sense of sorrow that I have learnt of the tragic demise of Hajiya Jummai Tafawa Balewa.
“In her sad demise, Nigeria has lost an outstanding political figure, who was passionately committed to the cause of the family and the legacies of her late husband.
“I convey my heartfelt condolences to members of the bereaved family, the government and people of Bauchi State and the entire people of our dear country. May Allah repose her soul.”
The remains of the late prime minister’s wife, who died at the age of 85, on Sunday, will be committed to mother earth in Bauchi on Monday.