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.”
The President’s message was conveyed in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, on Thursday.
Reacting to Kaunda’s death at 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 him: “We can’t forget in a hurry how Kaunda gave shelter to anti-apartheid freedom fighters from South Africa and from former Rhodesia.”
He noted “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.”
President Buhari extended his condolences and that of the nation to the family, the government and people of Zambia over Kaunda’s death.
