From Dan Amasingha, Minna and Kunle Idowu, Abeokuta

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff General Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi as the sad loss of “a thoroughbred professional soldier, an officer and a gentleman whose contributions to the fatherland are immeasurable.

Reacting to the news of the passing of the former Army Chief, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity, Garba Shehu, President Buhari said that “General Wushishi had a distinguished military career and we are proud of his impressive service to the country.

According to the President, “General Wushishi was an epitome of discipline and dedication to service, and he was a role model for both the officers and the rank and file.

The President extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, the Nigerian Army, as well as the Government and people of Niger State.

Also yesterday, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo extolled the virtues of former Chief of Army Staff and member, Supreme Military Council and Armed Forces Ruling Council, Lt-Gen. Mohammed Inuwa Wushishi, describing his death as shocking.

Obasanjo said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.

Obasanjo, who is in the Gambia where he is monitoring the Presidential Elections in his capacity as the Chair of the Commonwealth Election Observers Mission, thumbed up for Wushishi for building an efficient and effective Army while alive.

“Late Lt-Gen Wushishi had a distinguished career in the Nigerian Armed Forces which he joined in 1961. He held several Command positions culminating in his elevation to the position of Chief of Army Staff between 1981 and 1983 during the administration of President Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic. He played a significant role in helping to keep our dear country together during the Nigerian crisis of 1966 – 1970.

He noted that as Chief of Army Staff, he worked tirelessly to build up an efficient and effective Army with capacity for local training of its personnel.

Obasanjo noted that there was no doubt that the whole nation and in particular the Nigerian Armed Forces would deeply mourn the passing of this outstanding soldier, a patriotic Nigerian and a humane gentleman.

The former President explained that, in and out of service, Wushishi, showed humility and love for his colleagues and the nation and contributed to national development as a private businessman and a provider of employment for many of our people.

Similarly, the Secretary to the Niger Government, Alhaji Ahmed Matane, has described the late former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Muhammed Inuwa Wushishi, as a committed officer and an elder statesman who served Nigeria passionately.

Matane, in a statement by his media aide, Lawal Tanko, expressed grief and sadness over Wushishi’s death.

“The Late Gen. M.I. Wushishi was a respected officer who spent his life in the service of the state, country and humanity,” the statement said.

Matane said Wushishi’s death was a great tragedy and a monumental loss not only to the state but Nigeria as a whole.