John Adoyi, PBA Journalism Mentee
President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Japan over the gruesome assassination of former Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe on Friday morning.
Local media reported that Abe who is the longest serving prime minister of the Asian country, was on Friday morning shot by a young man, while making a campaign speech in the western city of Nara, ahead of a parliamentary election.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, Buhari conveyed his condolences to the government of Japan and Abe’s family, praying for peaceful repose of his soul.
Part of the statement reads, “On behalf of the Government and people of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari extends heartfelt condolences to the family of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and to the Government and people of Japan in the wake of the gruesome assassination of former Prime Minister.
“The President joins all Japanese in mourning the loss of the country’s longest serving Prime Minister and outstanding leader, assuring the family of Abe of the prayers and thoughts of all Nigerians during this difficult time.”
Buhari extolled the qualities of Abe, adding that he will be remembered for his unwavering commitment to strengthening trade and investment between Africa and Japan through various initiatives and partnerships, using the instrumentality of Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD).
The president also noted that under Abe, Nigeria and Japan enjoyed a strategic partnership, supporting each other’s shared aspirations on economic cooperation, healthcare, human resource development, disaster risk reduction, peace and security.
The Nigerian leader prays that the memory of the Japanese statesman and respected international leader will be a blessing to his nation and people, whom he served so devotedly.
