President Muhammadu Buhari has described Zambia’s founding father and independence nationalist, Kenneth Kaunda, as “one of the greatest African and world leaders of all time, who loved his country and people profoundly.”
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday titled ‘Kaunda was a great patriot who loved his people profoundly, says President Buhari.
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The statement read: “Reacting to Kaunda’s death at the age of 97, the President said ‘I have received his passing with great shock because I knew his contributions to the development of not only Zambia but also Africa at large.’
“According to President Buhari, ‘we can’t forget in a hurry how Kaunda gave shelter to anti-apartheid freedom fighters from South Africa and former Rhodesia.’
“The Nigerian leader noted that ‘the late Kaunda was one of the loudest voices for the liberation of Africa from colonialism and imperialism and he did so with passion and sincerity. It is impossible to reflect on Kaunda’s legacy without acknowledging his selflessness and passion for service.’”
Buhari extended his condolences and that of Nigeria to the family, the government and people of Zambia over Kaunda’s death.