By our Reporter

In a solemnity and reflection, Nasarawa State stood still as faith, politics, and tradition converged to honour the memory of former President late Muhammadu Buhari. The interfaith prayer session, hosted by Governor Abdullahi A. Sule, transformed into more than just a mourning ritual, it became a poignant symbol of unity, gratitude, and remembrance.

The event brought together an extraordinary cross-section of Nigerian society. From traditional rulers to top political figures, from clerics of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), to ordinary citizens, the gathering underscored a shared reverence for a man who, in life, left a lasting imprint on the nation and in death, continues to inspire moments of unity.

In a moving tribute by Distinguished Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu, who is also the Sarkin Yakin Keffi, struck a chord: “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un”—to God we belong and to Him we shall return. With these words, Senator Wadada framed the occasion not merely as a time of mourning, but as an opportunity for deep introspection and national unity.

He praised Governor Sule for what he described as a “kind-hearted and unifying gesture,” commending the administration for fostering peace and harmony through inclusive leadership. “This is more than a prayer gathering,” Wadada noted. “It is a call to unity, to reflection, and to a reaffirmation of our shared values.”

Senator Wadada’s tribute went beyond mere words of condolence. He highlighted late President Buhari’s direct influence on Nasarawa’s development, citing key appointments that elevated the state’s profile on the national stage—such as the former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; Dr. Faisal Shuaib of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency; and NSCDC Commandant General, Mr. Audi.

These appointments, he said, demonstrated Buhari’s commitment to equitable representation and national integration. “Nasarawa was not forgotten. We felt seen and heard,” Wadada added.

The gathering also drew reflections from the Nasarawa State Traditional Council, Judiciary, and Legislature, alongside prominent political figures like former Governors Sen. Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and Sen. Abdullahi Adamu—all unified in expressing deep respect for the late president.

In a gesture symbolic of lasting remembrance, Governor Sule announced the renaming of the popular Shendam Road to Muhammadu Buhari Way. The move, he said, was part of the state’s commitment to immortalizing the legacy of a leader who “served with integrity and left footprints on the sands of Nigerian governance.”

The event reached beyond politics and partisanship. It captured a rare moment of cohesion in a diverse society, reminding all present of the power of leadership—not just in office, but in legacy. Senator Wadada summed it up: “No meaningful development can be sustained in the absence of peace.”

As the prayers faded into the air and tributes echoed in hearts, one thing was clear—Nasarawa had come together not only to mourn a leader, but to honour a legacy and recommit to the ideals that bind a people together: peace, unity, and service.