Buhari prays for Chinese coronavirus victims

President Muhammadu Buhari has offered prayers for God to comfort the Chinese families and others, of those who have fallen victim of the deadly coronavirus respiratory disease, which has chalked up over 12,000 suspected cases worldwide since last December 2019.

In a statement issued by his special assistant on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, on Sunday, the President extended his good wishes to President Xi Jinping and citizens of the People’s Republic of China during this trying time.

China’s efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus have been exemplary, as well as the country’s collaboration with international agencies and other countries on the matter, he said in the statement.

Buhari noted that China had been exceptionally supportive of Nigeria and Africa, and even more so in recent years; “therefore, it is important to let China know that Nigeria and her citizens are also standing by them during this outbreak”, Shehu said.

He stressed that with all the efforts being put in, “we know that it is only a matter of time before this nightmare passes.

“President Buhari uses this opportunity to thank Nigerians for their hospitality towards the Chinese nationals in our midst, and for not letting the coronavirus outbreak create any disturbance or disrupt the peaceful coexistence between us and them.

“He prays that God will comfort the Chinese and others who have already lost family members and loved ones to the disease”.