Human rights activist and lawyer, Chidi Odinkalu, has reminded Nigerian politicians of the need to invest in the country’s health infrastructure, saying those who die abroad will be returned to the country as cargo consignment.
Mr Odinkalu stated this on Sunday while reflecting on the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Nigeria’s current rulers may need to be reminded: Those who die in foreign hospitals only get to return to the country as cargo,” the activist stated. “They don’t pass through @immigrationng. Rather we clear them through @CustomsNG as import. If you don’t want this, build a hospital that can work for you.”
Mr Odinkalu further reflected on how the remains of scores of Shiites massacred during the reign of Mr Buhari were conveyed in trucks.
“I remember today all the #Shiites liquidated in the #ZariaMassacre in Dec 2015 under the orders of the C-In-C, including 3 sons of Sheikh El-Zakzaky. Their remains were transported in at least 47 trucks & buried in #MassGraves in Mando Kaduna,” he added.
Mr Buhari died in a London hospital on Sunday after a prolonged illness.
President Bola Tinubu described the former president as a patriot, a soldier, and a statesman, adding that his legacy of service and sacrifice would endure.
Mr Tinubu also ordered Nigerian flags to fly at half-mast, directing Vice-President Kashim Shettima and chief of staff Femi Gbajabiamila to accompany Mr Buhari’s remains back home.
Meanwhile, a former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmed, announced that Mr. Buhari would be buried in his hometown of Daura, Katsina.
