The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Sunday, condoled with his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa, and South Africans on the demise of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
The South African anti-apartheid icon died on Sunday at the age of 90, a statement by the Minister in the Presidency of South Africa, Mondli Gungubele, said.
Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, described him as a global citizen and renowned world leader.
He noted that the historic role Tutu played in the fight against apartheid, enduring physical assaults, jail terms and prolonged exile took him beyond the pulpit to global, political relevance, and his position, under President Nelson Mandela, in heading the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, provided healing and direction for his country and the world.
The statement said, “On behalf of government and people of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africans and the global Christian body, particularly Anglican Communion, over passing of Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu, 90, on Sunday, December 26, 2021.
“President Buhari believes the death of the iconic teacher, human rights activist, leader of thought, scholar and philanthropist further creates a void in a world in dire need of wisdom, integrity, courage and sound reasoning, which were qualities that the Nobel Peace Prize winner, 1984, typified and exemplified in words and actions.”
According to the statement, the President sent his condolences to Leah Tutu, the spouse of the spiritual leader and lifelong partner in the struggle against injustice, corruption and inequality; the Tutu family; the board and staff of Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation; the Elders, and Nobel Laureate Group.
It said the voice of the scholar and teacher, his published works, and inspirational quotes would resonate through generations, bringing more light and clarity to religious diversity, democracy and good governance.
Tutu supported Nigeria’s debt relief efforts, Obasnajo
A former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, described the death of the human rights crusader as a personal loss to him.
Obasanjo, in a condolence letter to Ramaphosa, recalled the role played by Tutu in getting Nigeria’s debt cancelled.
The letter, which was released by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, said “Tutu had been part of building and strengthening the Anglican Church…
