Vice-President Kashim Shettima, on Saturday, attended the wedding fatiha of Halima Junaid, the granddaughter of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari and Walid Muazu, the son of Iyan Katagum.

The wedding was held at the Yahaya Road Juma’at Mosque, Ungwan Rimi, in Kaduna metropolis.

Mr Shettima was accompanied by the deputy chief of staff to the president, Ibrahim Hadejia, the minister of environment, Balarabe Lawal, the minister of transportation, Sa’idu Alkali and Rep. Lawal Zannah.

The vice-president stood for the bride, Ms Junaid, while Shehu Mauzu stood for the groom.

Dignitaries present were: Abubakar Malami SAN, former minister of justice and attorney general of the federation; former chairman, Economic and Financial Crime Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa; Yusuf Muhammadu Buhari, and the former director-general, State Security Service, Yusuf Bichi.

Others are: Tahir Muhammad Tahir, former special adviser to the president on religious affairs, and prominent personalities within and outside Kaduna.

Immediately after the wedding fatiha, Mr Shettima proceeded to the residence of the former Nigerian leader, Mr Buhari and greeted the widow, Aisha Buhari.

Mr Shettima said he was specifically directed by President Bola Tinubu to extend his warm regards and reassure the family of his continued support.

He also offered words of comfort and encouragement to Mrs Buhari, noting that the late president will forever remain dear to both Mr Tinubu and himself.

Mr Shettima said, “I came to Kaduna to attend the wedding of Halima Junaid and after the wedding, I decided to come and greet you and also to once again console you.

“I cannot come to Kaduna and go without coming to this house. May Allah grant his soul eternal rest and reward him with Aljannah and may Allah give you the fortitude to bear the loss. ”

Similarly, Mr Shettima, on behalf of Mr Tinubu, paid a condolence visit to the All Progressives Congress (APC) national vice chairman (North West), Garba Datti Muhammad, over the demise of his son.

He said,” When I was informed by my boss, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, that I was going to Kaduna to attend the wedding of the granddaughter of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“He (Tinubu) said it is absolutely essential that you should represent me at the wedding fatiha and most importantly, go and pay a condolence visit to the National Vice Chairman (North West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who lost a son.

“On behalf of President Bola Tinubu, I want to convey our deep sympathy and condolences to our boss, our party leader, and to the governor of Kaduna state,” Mr Shettima said.

(NAN)