The remains of late Nigeria’s President Umaru Yar’Adua were laid to rest Thursday evening in his home town of Katsina in the country’s northern part.
After funeral prayers led by the Chief Imam of Katsina, Mohammed Aliu, the body, draped in the national flag, was taken by foot some six kilometres away to the Dan Marna cemetery, one of the top cemeteries in the ancient town.
The prayers were witnessed by top dignitaries, including two former military leaders, Muhammadu Buhari and Ibrahim Babangida, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, state governors, ministers, diplomats and others.
Security was tight at the venue of the prayers, as well as along major streets in the city.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners, who had gathered at the Katsina Township Stadium for the prayers, shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is great) as the body was being taken to the cemetery.
Two state governors, of northern Bauchi and Kebbi states, who are sons- in-law of the late President, were among the pall bearers.
Yar’Adua, who assumed office May 2007, died Wednesday night at the presidential villa in the capital city of Abuja, after a protracted illness.
His deputy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was Thursday in the capital city of Abuja morning sworn in as the country’s 14th leader.
The federal government has declared seven days of national mourning while Thursday was declared work-free to enable Nigerians mourn the death of their President.