…say his death is a great loss for Nigeria-China
By Gloria Ikibah 
Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed his condolences to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian people following the death of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a message sent on Wednesday, Xi conveyed “deep condolences” on behalf of the Chinese government and its people, offering heartfelt sympathy to Buhari’s family and the government of Nigeria.
Xi described Buhari as a “respected statesman” who worked tirelessly to strengthen Nigeria’s unity and development.
“He dedicated himself to finding a development path suited to Nigeria’s national conditions and made outstanding contributions to the country’s progress,” Xi said.
According to him, “Buhari earned wide respect across the international community”.
The Chinese leader also praised Buhari’s role in fostering stronger Nigeria-China ties, and noted that the former president was a steadfast friend of China and a firm supporter of China-Africa cooperation.
“His death is not only a great loss for the Nigerian people but also for the Chinese, who considered him a dear friend,” Xi said.
President Xi reaffirmed China’s commitment to its relationship with Nigeria, as he said Beijing is ready to continue working closely with Abuja to advance their comprehensive strategic partnership.
