Since Friday 21st May 2021, when the NAF plane crashed killing military officers including the Chief of Army Staff, the Wife of the Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo has made it a point of duty to visit families of the departed military officers, consoling their widows, relatives, offering relief and emotional support.
Everyday.ng learnt that when the incident was reported on Friday, she immediately visited the wife of the late COAS, accompanied by the wife of Chief of Defense Staff, Mrs Victoria Irabor.
On Saturday, May 22, the Wife of the VP returned to the Flag Staff House, the official residence of the COAS at Niger Barracks to spend more time with the family and further console the widow of the late Army Chief.
On Sunday, May 23, Mrs Osinbajo continued her visit to Niger Barracks accompanied by Mrs Irabor, the wives of the Chief of Naval Staff, Hajiya Nana Aishat Gambo; and Chief of Air Staff, Mrs Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao, again to see the widow of the COAS.
Afterwards with the wives of the service chiefs accompanying her, they all visited the wife of the late Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen Olatunji Olayinka, and other spouses of departed army officers at the barracks.
She didn’t stop there as she proceeded to the NAF Base, near the airport, to meet with the widows and relatives of all Abuja based deceased Air Force officers.
There she met with families of deceased officers, Flt Lt A Olufade, Sgt Adesina and ACM Oyedepo.
In total she has visited relatives and families of seven of the departed military officers. 3 at the NAF Base, and 4 at the Niger Barracks, Abuja.
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Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday received a phone call from the Saudi Monarch, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz who commiserated with the President and the people of Nigeria following the recent plane crash that claimed the lives of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru and ten other military officers.
A statement from the Presidency said the Saudi King expressed full solidarity with Nigeria following this national tragedy.
President Buhari and the King exchanged pleasantries on the occasion of the Eid which was marked after the 30-day Ramadan fast and prayed for peace, security and progress in the two nations and the subregions.
The Saudi King also prayed for the repose of the souls of the military men who lost their lives.
The conversation by both leaders also covered the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and ways to bolster them across various sectors.
President Buhari expressed happiness with the King and thanked him for standing with Nigeria in all situations.
The President also received a message of commiseration from Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the Nigerian-born Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion, in London.
Archbishop Idowu-Fearon prayed for the President and the country as the nation mourns the Chief of Army Staff and his top lieutenants at a time when their services were most needed.