Nigerian leaders pay tribute to Sheikh Khalifa

Reacting to the demise of Sheikh Khalifa on Friday, 13th May, 2022, President Buhari said, "It’s impossible to write about the social and economic transformation of the UAE without recognition of the significant and immeasurable contributions of the deceased to the progress of the country today."

According to the Nigerian President, "It’s on record that today the UAE is ranked among the most economically developed countries and the second-biggest economy in the Gulf Cooperation Council.

"Even a cursory observer cannot fail to notice the level of transformation that has taken place in the UAE in areas such as infrastructure, housing, education, health care and social welfare.

"The late Khalifa Bin Zayed will have a prominent mention in the pantheon of great achievers who have used the wealth of their countries to transform the lives of the people."

President Buhari also recalled, "During my visit to the UAE, I was impressed by the level of modernisation and transformation that had taken place in the country, and you can’t help giving credit to a great man like Sheikh Khalifa for his role in those efforts to transform the UAE into a diversified modern economic miracle."

In the meantime, Former Vice President of Nigeria paid tribute to the late Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed.

"Sheikh Khalifa was a visionary leader whose transformational work in the United Arab Emirates will stand the test of time. Under his leadership, the UAE commenced the foundational development that has seen it literally reach for the sky," he tweeted.

"The Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest man-made structure named after him, is a metaphor for his accomplishments. My condolences to the family and government, and the people of the UAE. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. Ameen."