President Muhammadu Buhari says he received with immense sadness news of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

“My family and I, and the more than 200 million Nigerians, have learned with immense sadness of the passing of the Queen and the end of her unique and wonderful 70-year reign,” Mr Buhari said.

The Nigerian leader made his feelings known in a condolence message issued by his media aide Garba Shehu on Thursday.

Mr Buhari added, “Her late Majesty was the only British Sovereign known to 90 per cent of our population. Our thoughts and sincere condolences are with the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom and the entire Commonwealth as we join the entire world in mourning her loss.”

Colonial Britain ruled the several vast domains amalgamated on January 1, 1914, by Lord Frederick Lugard, the governor of both the Northern Nigeria Protectorate and the Colony and Protectorate of Southern Nigeria.

“The story of modern Nigeria will never be complete without a chapter on Queen Elizabeth II, a towering global personality and an outstanding leader,” the Nigerian president stressed. “She dedicated her life to making her nation, the Commonwealth and the entire world a better place.”

Mr Buhari also welcomed the enthronement of King Charles III, the late queen’s eldest son, saying, “Your Majesty’s ascension to the throne in line with tradition.”

He prayed that the new king’s reign would witness the “continuing robust and sisterly relations between our two nations.”

(NAN)