Onanuga stated this on Wednesday in a short statement issued on X, claiming that it would be the first time in ten years that a Nigerian President has paid such homage to soldiers who died in service.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has confirmed that his principal will attend the burial ceremony of 17 military personnel killed in Delta State.
Onanuga stated this on Wednesday in a short statement issued on X, claiming that it would be the first time in ten years that a Nigerian President has paid such homage to soldiers who died in service.
He said, "It is confirmed that President Bola Tinubu will be attending the national burial for the Nigerian military officers and soldiers killed on 14 March by some gunmen in Okuama Community in Delta State.
"It is the first time in the last ten years that a Nigerian President will attend such a solemn event, in honour of our men of gallantry and valor. Two other burials in 2021 and 2018 were not graced by the incumbent. We told you then that @officialABAT cares. He is demonstrating it yet again.”
Tinubu had earlier mentioned last week that there would be a befitting burial for the 17 deceased soldiers who were killed while on a peacekeeping mission in Delta State.
Tinubu had expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved families and pledged that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes would never be in vain.
He had said: "Let us pray for Nigeria, let us see our country go through this. I accept the sympathy and on behalf of the country we saw your messages for the loss of the lives of our military men. We have to salute them as our heroes, responding to distress call they met the end of their lives in a savagery manner.
"Let us work to sympathise and symbolise the fact that they are worth the sacrifices they have made for Nigeria. We salute all our men and women in uniform and we sympathise with them. I will so make further pronouncement; they must have befitting burial and they will have national honours.”
"Tonight, we are not going to do Idi Amin – retaliate. Though as we go, pray for our elderly, pray for our people who have passed on. May Allah grant all our prayers and our heart desires and set Nigeria on the part of glory and share your history of greatness and you will be part of our tomorrow's today," he appealed.