The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) has described the death of a former Chief of Army Staff, General Mohammed Wushishi (retd.), as the sad loss of “a thoroughbred professional soldier, an officer and a gentleman whose contributions to the fatherland are immeasurable.”
Wushishi was said to have died in a London hospital on Friday at 81.
Buhari’s condolence message was contained in a statement on Sunday by his Senior Special Assistant to on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, titled, “Buhari mourns General Wushishi, says ‘he was a thoroughbred professional soldier.’”
The statement added, “General Wushishi had a distinguished military career and we are proud of his impressive service to the country.
“General Wushishi was an epitome of discipline and dedication to service, and he was a role model for both the officers and the rank and file.”
Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in a statement from his media office on Sunday, said Wushishi had an outstanding military career, lived a worthy life and carried himself with dignity as an ambassador and icon people in Niger State.
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, also expressed sadness over Wushishi’s death.
Bello, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, described his death as a monumental loss for the country and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
The governor also sympathised with his Niger State counterpart, Abubakar Bello, over the death.
He said, “General Wushishi was no doubt one of the gallant and thoroughbred officers who had served this country with patriotic zeal all through his military career until he rose to become the Chief of Army Staff before retiring from service to the fatherland.
“I join millions of Nigerians this day in paying glowing tribute to General Wushishi for all his contributions to our national defence and territorial integrity.”
The Arewa Consultative Forum and the Northern Speakers Forum have also mourned Wushishi.
The ACF, through its National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, in a statement titled: ‘ACF mourns Gen. Wushishi,’ described the late Army chief as a pillar of strength for the North.
The ACF added that Wushishi was a detribalised Nigerian and an unwavering believer of democracy.
According to the organisation, after retirement, the late ex-COAS devoted himself to noble causes for the unity and progress of country.
While commiserating with the Niger State government and the bereaved family, Speakers from the 19 states under the aegis of the Northern Speakers’ Forum, described the death of the ex-COAS as devastating.
The Chairman of the Forum and Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Zailani, said the late former Army chief committed his life to the unity of the country.
Zailani, in a condolence message through his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Danfulani, in Kaduna on Sunday, said, “We have lost a rare gem who committed his life time to the unity of our dear country, Nigeria. His demise is devastating.”
The Niger State Government, in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Matane, described the deceased as an official who served Nigeria passionately.
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