Buhari, world leaders mourn late Queen Elizabeth II

NIGERIA’S President, Muhammadu Buhari has joined other world leaders to commiserate with the  Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom and the entire Commonwealth over the death of Queen Elizabeth, yesterday.

  Buhari said in a statement that:  “My family and I, and the more than 200 million Nigerians have learned with immense sadness of the passing of the Queen and the end of her unique and wonderful 70-year reign. Her late Majesty was the only British Sovereign known to 90 percent of our population.

  “Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom and the entire Commonwealth as we join the entire world in mourning her loss.”

  South African President , Cyril Ramaphosa described how he and the queen had reminisced together about Nelson Mandela, while Kenya’s president-elect William Ruto hailed her “admirable” leadership of the Commonwealth.

  Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese paid tribute to her “timeless decency” and said her death marked the “end of an era.”

  Equally, Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau said Elizabeth, who as queen was Canada’s head of state, was a “constant presence in our lives — and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history,” while David Burt, premier of tiny British territory, Bermuda, hailed  her “life of undimmed duty”.

  US President, Joe Biden called the queen the first British monarch to make a personal connection with people around the world and  ordered flags at the White House and government buildings flown at half-staff in her honor.

  “Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States. She helped make our relationship special,” he said.

  Russian President, Vladimir Putin offered his condolences to King Charles III, wishing the new monarch “courage and resilience” after his mother’s passing — even as Britain leads the West in imposing sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

  Chinese President, Xi Jinping gave his “sincere sympathies to the British government and people” following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

  While Germany, which in the queen’s lifetime went from Britain’s greatest enemy to a powerful ally, hailed her as a “symbol of reconciliation” after two world wars.

  “Her commitment to German-British reconciliation after the horrors of World War II will remain unforgotten,” said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said: “She played a significant role in creating world peace and prosperity,” adding that the queen’s death was a “big loss” to the international community.

  Argentina, which fought and lost a bitter war with Britain over the Falkland Islands in 1982, expressed its “regret” over Elizabeth’s passing. In a terse statement from the foreign ministry, the government offered its sorrow and said it “accompanies the British people and her family in this moment of grief.”

  At the United Nations, the Security Council held a minute of silence, while In the Vatican, Pope Francis said he was “deeply saddened” by her death and would pray for the late queen as well as King Charles.