President Muhammadu Buhari has said the death of a former Chief of Army Staff, General Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi, was a “sad loss”.
The President, in a statement issued Sunday by his media aide, Garba Shehu, described the deceased as a thoroughbred professional soldier, an officer and a gentleman whose contributions to the fatherland were “immeasurable”.
The president condoled the family of the deceased, the Nigerian Army, as well as the government and people of Niger State.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, in a condolence message made available to newsmen in Abeokuta by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, said Wushishi died at a time Nigeria would reap from his wide experience.
Obasanjo said the late chief of army staff who died on Saturday at the age of 81 built “An efficient and effective Army with capacity for local training of its personnel”, adding that he made significant contributions towards building a strong and united country as a member of the military government.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, in a statement released his media office, said General Wushishi had an outstanding military career, lived a worthy life and carried himself with dignity as an ambassador and icon of the great people of Wushishi in Niger State.
In its reaction, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) described the deceased as a detribalised Nigerian and an unwavering believer of democracy.
Governor Sani Bello of Niger State, in a condolence message, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel Berje, said even after active service, late Gen. Wushishi had continued to offer useful counsel that helped in the development of the society.
Similarly, the Registrar, National Examinations Council (NECO), Prof. Dantani Ibrahim Wushishi, described the late elder statesman as a quintessential leader whose footprints would remain inedible in the sand of time.
By Muideen Olaniyi (Abuja), Lami Sadiq (Kaduna), Peter Moses (Abeokuta) & Abubakar Akote (Minna)
