Buhari mourns death of Tanzanian President John Magufuli

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday mourned the death of Tanzanian President, John Magufuli, who died on Wednesday at the age of 61.

Buhari’s condolence message was contained in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

The statement read: “President Muhammadu Buhari joins Government and people of Republic of Tanzania in mourning the passing of President John Pombe Magufuli, 61, whose legacy of patriotism and dedication to the African course will continue to resonate across the continent.

“The President believes the late Tanzanian President’s courage and love for his country inspired various reforms that generations will continue to celebrate, which include the challenging decision to reduce size and cost of governance, insistence on a people focused budget, with clear priorities on education and health, and consistently fighting profligacy and frivolities in public expenditures.

“President Buhari affirms that the former Tanzanian leader spent most of his life serving the country and humanity, with a rich pedigree of working as a school teacher, and rising steadily in public service as Member of Parliament, Deputy Minister of Works, Minister of Works, Minister of Lands and Human Settlement and Minister of Livestock and Fisheries.

“The President extends condolences to the family of the late visionary leader of Tanzania, his friends and associates, and all citizens of the country, trusting God to comfort them.

“President Buhari prays for repose of the soul of the deceased.”