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By Anas Abbas

Saudi Arabia’s leadership has extended heartfelt condolences to Nigeria in the wake of the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, along with Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, both conveyed their sympathies through formal messages to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Their messages reflect deep sorrow over the loss of the former leader.

In a statement released on Monday, King Salman expressed his “deepest condolences and sincere sympathy” to President Tinubu, the Nigerian populace, and Buhari’s family.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman echoed these sentiments in a separate message, emphasizing the enduring respect and historical connections between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria.

He stated, “I extend to Your Excellency, the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the family of the deceased my deepest condolences and sincere sympathy.”

The Crown Prince commended Buhari for his decades of public service, particularly noting his role in enhancing Nigeria’s political stability and national security.

Muhammadu Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2015 to 2023 and previously led as a military ruler in the 1980s, passed away on Sunday at the age of 82 following a brief illness.

Known for his staunch anti-corruption measures and efforts to combat insurgency in northeastern Nigeria, Buhari leaves behind a legacy characterized by strong governance and national pride.

President Bola Tinubu, who succeeded Buhari, referred to him as a “patriot and statesman who prioritized national interest above all else.” In honor of the former president, the Nigerian government has declared a period of national mourning.

A state funeral is set to take place on Tuesday in Buhari’s hometown of Daura, Katsina State, with dignitaries and representatives from around the globe anticipated to attend.

By Anas Abbas

Leaders, dignitaries, and heads of state are gathering in Daura, Katsina State, to pay their final respects to Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Muhammadu Buhari who passed away at the age of 82 in a London hospital on Sunday.A significant number of high-profile guests have arrived in Buhari’s hometown for the solemn Jana’iza ceremony.

Among those in attendance is Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, accompanied by prominent female dignitaries such as Mrs. Fatimah Abbas, wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives; Hajia Laila Barau, wife of the Deputy Senate President; Barrister Zarah Ribadu, wife of the National Security Adviser; and Mrs. Abu Ibrahim.

Governors from various states are also present, including Dauda Lawal from Zamfara State and Babajide Sanwo-Olu from Lagos State, who was seen arriving with billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote.

The Prime Minister of Niger, Ali Lamine Zeine, was welcomed in Katsina by Governor Dikko Umaru Radda and is among a growing number of West African leaders coming to honor the late Nigerian leader.

Yemi Osinbajo, who served as Buhari’s Vice President throughout his two terms, has also made his way to Katsina for the funeral.

Additionally, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar returned from an international business trip to pay tribute to Buhari, as confirmed by publisher Dele Momodu.

In light of the gathering, security measures have been heightened across Katsina as traditional leaders, senior government officials, and foreign delegations arrive from across Africa to participate in the funeral proceedings, which will adhere to Islamic rites.

By Muhammad Umar Shehu

There is this thing that has been baffling me for so long. How on earth can someone knowingly take what does not belong to them and claim to be the rightful owner? Be it a car, a motorcycle, money, or anything valuable, how can a person live with that and still have peace of mind? Just wondering. The rising number of fraudsters, armed robbers, and criminals is sending a red alarm through our society. We need to think about this. 

Where is our sense? How can you feel human after intentionally making someone else suffer by stealing or using power to take what is not yours? Even if you escape in this fleeting world, do you ever think about the hereafter? Honestly, I do not think anyone with a conscience can still feel truly human after that.

In today’s fast-paced society, the pursuit of wealth has become more intense than ever. Young people are under growing pressure to succeed quickly and visibly. Social media has made it worse, constantly showing luxury lifestyles, expensive cars, designer clothes, and dream vacations. Everywhere you look, someone is showing off something new, and this has created a culture where being rich is seen as the only proof of success. With this kind of pressure, it is not surprising that many are tempted to look for shortcuts to riches.

Some youth turn to legal avenues such as starting businesses, learning digital skills, or investing in trades. These are commendable paths that require time, discipline, and consistency. However, others begin to lean toward illegal or dishonest means. Internet fraud, online scams, money rituals, and other shady activities have unfortunately become attractive options for those who want to make it overnight. These choices are dangerous and often come with serious consequences that people do not thoroughly think through until it is too late.

The reality is that there is always a price to pay for fast money, especially when it comes through illegal means. Aside from the risk of arrest, prosecution, and jail time, there is also the emotional burden and shame that follow. Getting caught in criminal activity can destroy your future. It closes doors to real opportunities, stains your reputation, and breaks the trust your family and community have in you. Even if the law does not catch you, people talk. Your name becomes a warning, not an example.

Beyond legal consequences, there is also a personal cost. Living in constant fear of getting caught or exposed takes a toll on your mental health. Many people who appear to be living large are battling anxiety and guilt behind closed doors. They cannot sleep peacefully, they do not feel safe, and deep down, they know that what they are enjoying is temporary. What is the point of having money if you have to keep looking over your shoulder?

It is also important to understand that real wealth takes time to build. There is nothing wrong with starting small. Many successful people started with little, but they stayed consistent. Whether you are learning a skill, starting a side hustle, or working your way through school or a job, what matters is growth. Progress may be slow, but it is real, and over time, it adds up. That kind of wealth gives you confidence and freedom because it was earned the right way.

Young people need to hear this often. There is no shame in taking your time. Not everyone will blow in their twenties, and that is okay. Social media has created false timelines that make people feel like failures if they have not made it early. But life is not a race. Focus on building yourself. Learn, grow, stay curious, and surround yourself with people who push you to do better the right way. Your future should not be built on lies or shortcuts. Let it be built on purpose and with effort.

In the end, it is not just about making money. It is about who you become in the process. Money comes and goes, but your values, your peace of mind, and your name should remain intact. Do not trade your future for temporary pleasure. Stay focused, stay clean, and remember that true success is not just about how much you have but how you earned it.

Muhammad Umar Shehu wrote from Gombe and can be reached via umarmuhammadshehu2@gmail.com

By Muhammad Abubakar

At least 1,111 Nigerians were killed and 276 abducted by gunmen and other non-state actors across the country in June 2025, according to a new report by Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited.

The chilling figures are contained in the company’s monthly security dossier, which tracks violence and criminal activity nationwide. Despite the high numbers, the report notes that June witnessed a “notable de-escalation” in security breaches compared to May, suggesting a slight dip in the frequency or intensity of attacks.

While the report did not provide a full regional breakdown, sources familiar with the data say many of the killings occurred in the North West and North Central zones, where banditry and communal violence remain rampant. Parts of the South East also continue to grapple with targeted killings and kidnappings by separatist-linked armed groups.

The 276 abductions show the persistent threat of kidnapping-for-ransom, which has plagued Nigeria for years, affecting schoolchildren, commuters, and rural dwellers alike.

Security analysts say the figures, though slightly improved from previous months, still reflect a deepening crisis. They have called for more coordinated action by federal and state authorities to strengthen local intelligence, improve response times, and hold perpetrators accountable.

The government has yet to respond to the latest statistics, but critics argue that repeated assurances of improved security have not translated into meaningful safety for the average Nigerian.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The death of Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari in a London hospital has once again spotlighted the country’s long-standing crisis in healthcare delivery, especially among its elite. 

Buhari, 82, died on Saturday, July 13, after a prolonged illness reportedly linked to leukaemia. Despite leading Africa’s most populous nation and the continent’s largest economy, he died not on Nigerian soil, but under foreign care.

His passing mirrors a now-familiar pattern among Nigeria’s political class: fleeing abroad for treatment, even for routine ailments, only to eventually die in foreign hospitals. Buhari, who frequently sought medical attention in the United Kingdom during his presidency, had once campaigned on the promise of reducing medical tourism. Instead, he became one of its most prominent symbols.

Public reaction has been swift and critical. Muhammad Shakir Balogun, a resident advisor with the Nigeria Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (NFELTP), condemned the trend in a widely shared Facebook post. Drawing comparisons with African icons like Nelson Mandela and Jerry Rawlings—both of whom received treatment and died in their home countries—Balogun wrote:

“They were not flown to London, Paris, or Amsterdam. They were attended to in their own countries by their own doctors… What of Nigeria, the giant of Africa? Even those who campaigned on the moral pedestal of not going abroad for treatment turned out to be the worst offenders ever.”

He called on current President Bola Tinubu to “break the despicable and shameless tradition” by ensuring at least one world-class hospital exists within Nigeria—“even if it’s a military hospital.”

Yet, President Tinubu himself has also faced criticism for continuing the same tradition. Since assuming office in May 2023, he has reportedly travelled to Paris multiple times for medical checkups, reinforcing the perception that Nigerian leaders lack confidence in the very healthcare system they oversee.

Critics argue that the reliance on foreign healthcare is not just a failure of policy but a profound betrayal of public trust. Nigeria’s public hospitals suffer from underfunding, dilapidated infrastructure, and a mass exodus of medical professionals, many of whom now work in the very countries to which Nigerian leaders turn in times of illness.

With Buhari’s burial scheduled for today in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, attention is turning not just to the legacy of his leadership, but to the urgent need for healthcare reform at home, so that future presidents may live, heal, and if necessary, die on Nigerian soil.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Federal Government has announced a comprehensive state funeral programme following the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

A period of national mourning has commenced to honour his service to the nation.

In a statement released by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the government detailed the arrangements.

A high-powered committee chaired by Senator Akume has been established to oversee the state burial proceedings.

As a mark of respect, Tuesday, July 15th, has been declared a public holiday, initiating a seven-day period of national mourning.

Throughout this time, all flags across Nigeria and at diplomatic missions abroad will fly at half-mast.

Significant government activities have been adjusted.

The weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, originally planned for Wednesday, has been postponed to Friday.

Furthermore, twenty-five members of the FEC have been directed to travel to Daura, the late president’s hometown, for a special three-day mourning session.

The process of returning the former president’s remains to Nigeria is underway. A delegation led by the Vice President has finalized arrangements for the repatriation.

The body is expected to arrive at Katsina airport by 12 noon today, Tuesday, July 15th, where it will be received with a brief military parade.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside other dignitaries, will formally receive the remains in Katsina before they are transported to Daura for the final rites.

The funeral prayer (Salatul Janazah) and burial will take place in Daura.

Condolence registers have been opened at all Federal Government ministries, agencies, and Nigerian embassies and consulates worldwide.

The government has called on all citizens to honour the memory of the late former president with prayers and respect during this time of national loss.

By Bilyamin Abdulmumin, PhD

I didn’t feel very emotional when I first heard about the death of Muhammadu Buhari. Until this morning, when I came across one of his speeches from the 2023 campaign. In that speech, he reflected on his life, the approaching end of his tenure, and his return home. He bade farewell and admonished the congress and the Nigerian people with good leadership, honesty, and trustworthiness. Watching that speech now, occasioned by his passing, felt like listening to a wasiyya, a final will, from one of my dying parents. For the first time, I found my eyes welling up over someone’s death. 

The death of the former president shouldn’t come as a surprise. At 82, he had lived a full, ripe, and by many standards, successful life. Yet many of us were caught unprepared by his passing. He was much in the spotlight, with his move from his Daura residence to a renovated home in Kaduna, and visits from opposition figures, leading to the APC’s restlessness and the immediate response from the then APC chairman, “Habu Na Habu”. 

The last time Buhari was in the news, it was due to rumours that he had slipped into a coma and was in critical condition—claims swiftly denied by Garba Shehu. Like many staunch Buharists, I didn’t take those rumours seriously. After all, we had heard many such baseless reports before.

Two key lessons I’ve taken from Buhari’s leadership: one about Buhari himself, and the second about the general society. For Buhari, integrity and honesty, while essential, are not enough on their own to bring about revolutionary change. I’ve followed transformational leaders like Lee Kuan Yew. Like Buhari, he was tough and sincere. But what set him apart was his well-defined economic philosophy and strategic vision. Buhari, by contrast, appeared to rely heavily on the capacity of his advisers and inner circle. 

For Nigerians, even the much-touted Lee Kuan Yew may still not be enough to deliver the revolutionary change. This is because the mindset and orientation of much of Nigerian society are often at odds with the very change they claim to seek. Many did not fully understand the nature or depth of the “change” being clamoured for in the first place. In contrast, a significant portion of Singaporean society shared in Lee Kuan Yew’s vision—or were at least willing to align themselves with a national revolution. That collective readiness made transformation possible. In Nigeria, however, the societal psyche remains a major barrier to meaningful reform.

History is best understood by future generations. Chairman Mao was once seen as merely a rebel, yet he eventually seized power and reshaped global history. How he was perceived a hundred years ago stands in stark contrast to how he’s viewed today. 

President Muhammadu Buhari came, did his part, and has now taken his bow. Time will reveal the full weight of his legacy. Good night, Baba. May your soul rest in Jannatul Firdaus.

By Uzair Adam

The burial of Nigeria’s immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, will take place on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State.

This was disclosed by Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, during a press briefing on Monday. The Daily Reality reports that Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at a hospital in London, United Kingdom.

Governor Radda said consultations were made with Buhari’s family and associates in London before concluding the burial arrangements.“We have concluded that the body will arrive in Katsina by noon and the burial will take place in Daura at about 2pm,” he said.

The governor also expressed deep condolences to the late president’s family, describing him as a father figure whose legacy of integrity and service will remain unmatched.

Security has been tightened in Daura and surrounding areas ahead of the funeral, with dignitaries from across Nigeria expected to attend.

By Uzair Adam

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the death of four persons and the injury of seven others following the collapse of a three-storey uncompleted building at Abedi Sabon Gari in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State.

Dr. Nuraddeen Abdullahi, NEMA Coordinator for the Kano Territorial Office, disclosed the development to the newsmen on Monday.

According to him, the agency received a distress alert on Sunday, July 13, at about 6:49 p.m., reporting the collapse of the structure after a prolonged heavy downpour.

He said the incident occurred at about 6:42 p.m.“On receiving the information, we immediately mobilised a Search and Rescue (SAR) response team to the scene in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders,” Abdullahi said.

He explained that eyewitnesses at the scene indicated several individuals were inside the building at the time of the collapse, with many believed to be trapped beneath the rubble.

The agency, he said, confirmed two fatalities and rescued six injured persons by 1:56 a.m. on Monday. By 5:41 a.m., two more deaths and one additional injury were recorded.

All victims were rushed to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital in Kano for treatment.

“Several individuals are suspected to be trapped, and efforts are being intensified to reach them safely,” he said.

He added that the rescue team secured the perimeter to control the crowd and ensure safety while using heavy equipment and Amida lighting for the night operation.

Search and rescue efforts are still ongoing in collaboration with stakeholders and local authorities.

Abdullahi said a detailed post-incident assessment report will be compiled at the conclusion of the operation.

He also noted that there is currently no immediate request for additional external reinforcement, but updates will be provided as necessary.

By Uzair Adam

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed sorrow over the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a courageous leader and a highly disciplined military officer devoted to the nation’s service.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said it received the news of Buhari’s death in a London hospital with deep sadness.

According to the party, Buhari will be remembered for his various roles in public service — including his time as Governor of Borno, Federal Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Chairman of the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund, Military Head of State, and later, as a democratically elected President.

The PDP extended its condolences to his widow, Hajia Aisha Buhari; the entire Buhari family; the Federal Government; the Nigerian Army; the people and government of Katsina State; and the Daura Emirate.

The party also prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest.Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide as a sign of mourning and respect for the late former president.