President Muhammadu Buhari will on Monday transmit a letter to the National Assembly indicating his resumption of work after the successful medical vacation in London.
The president left the country on January 19 when he asked for 10 days medical leave from the Senate.
He said that in his absence, his deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, would act as the president.
The president later wrote the Senate for an extension of the leave to enable him to undergo more medical tests based on the advice of his doctors.
He did not, however, state the time he would return.
Buhari, however, returned to Nigeria on Friday after more than a month-long medical vacation in the United Kingdom.
Presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, however, posted on his twitter handle, on Friday in Abuja, that the president would be transmitting another letter to the Senate on his return to the country.
He said that the letter would formalise the president’s return.
He said: “PMB (President Muhammadu Buhari) will on Monday transmit letter to National Assembly on his return to the country. That makes his return to work formal and constitutional.’’
The president arrived in the country through Kaduna Airport following Wednesday’s closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for rehabilitation.
The Presidential plane landed at the VIP Wing of the 401 Flying Training School of the Nigerian Air Force, Kaduna, at 7.40 a.m.
He was received by the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Mr Barnabas Bantex.
The president was later flown by a presidential helicopter to Abuja.
At a brief reception at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Buhari said the only way he can repay Nigerians for their prayers is for him to rededicate himself to serving them, protecting their interests and keeping their trust.
Buhari expressed gratitude to all Nigerians – Muslims and Christians alike.
According to him, the constant and persistent prayers offered by Nigerians over his health condition, testifies to their love for him and the country.
“I am deeply grateful to all Nigerians – Muslims and Christians alike, who have prayed and continued to pray for my good health.
“This is a testimony that in spite of the hardship being experienced by Nigerians, they have continued to support the government in its efforts to tackle our country’s challenges.
“The best way for me to pay you all is to rededicate myself to serving you, protecting your interests, and keeping your trust.
“I thank you very much. I feel much better now.’’
The President revealed that he might go back to London in a few weeks for a follow-up to his routine medical check-up.
He appealed to Nigerians stay where they are and continue to pray for the country’s unity, progress and prosperity “rather than sending delegations to Abuja to welcome me’’.
“There may, however, be need to have further follow-ups within some weeks.
“Rather than sending delegations to Abuja to welcome me, may I appeal to our people to continue to pray for the country’s unity, progress and prosperity.
“I thank you very much and may God bless our country.’’
The President, who narrated his check-up experience while in London, said he had as much rest as could be humanly possible.
He added that he received the best of treatments.
He advised Nigerians against self-medication, saying, “I think one of the terrible things you can have is self drug administration.’’
He called on Nigerians to trust their doctors rather than embark on self drug administration.
“I could not recall being so sick since I was a young man, including the military with its ups and downs.
“I found out that technology is developing so fast that if you have a lot of confidence, you better keep it because you need it.
“Blood transfusions, going to the laboratories, and so on and so forth, but I am very pleased that we; when I say we, I mean the government and the people, all over are trying to keep up with technology.
Buhari stated that he purposely returned on Friday so could continue to rest while acting President Yemi Osinbajo would continue.
In his remarks, Osinbajo thanked Buhari for respecting the constitution and entrusting him with power before travelling.
Osinbajo said it was a tough job ‘‘going around in borrowed robes’’.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, thanked God for the safe return of the President, saying, “today is a day of joy for Nigerians, Africa and the world as the President arrived safely”.
The Chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum, Abdulaziz Yari and the Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, also delivered addresses of welcome for the President.
Osinbajo, Yari, Governors Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano and the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari were among the top officials, who received the President on arrival at the helipad.
Others are the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura; National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno; and the Director-General, NIA.
The Permanent Secretary, State House, Jalal Arabi; Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali; the Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gabriel Olonishaki; and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris were also at the helipad to receive Buhari.
The wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari, also received her husband, amid cheers from families and well wishers, who joined her to welcome the President.
Mrs Buhari, who received the President about 9a.m. at the official residence in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, thanked Nigerians for their support and prayer for the President.
The wife of the President was joined by Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo, the wife of the Vice-President, wives of State Governors, Ministers, family members and her close associates.
Mrs Buhari, who was happy at the return of her husband, expressed gratitude to Almighty God for the successful return of the President.
In the same vein, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, has expressed her happiness for the successful return of the President.
Oyo-Ita urged Nigerians to continue praying for their leaders to enable them deliver good governance to the people.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the wife of the President, Dr Hajo Sani, expressed her joy for the return of the President to the country.
Meanwhile, the town of Daura is agog with singing and dancing as people of the area are celebrating the return of Buhari.
Malam Musa Mohammed, a local farmer could not control his tears of joy, adding “at last the president is back into the country’’.
He said he was listening to the radio this morning when it was announced that the president would return today, “and to God be the glory, he has landed in good spirit’’.
Mohammed called on Nigerians, especially the good people of Daura to continue to pray for the wellbeing of the president and the nation, saying “he is our son and he needs our prayers and encouragement’’.
Alhaji Salisu Haro, the Information Officer of Daura Local Government Area, said the entire Daura community was happy for the safe return of Buhari.
He said Daura community became agog since the announcement of his return on Thursday.
According to him, a lot of us resorted to thanksgiving, prayers and tea parties celebrating the return of Mr president.
Alhaji Abdulmanafi Daura, the North-West Zonal Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), commended the efforts of traditional and religious leaders, as well as the opposition for their efforts at praying for the wellbeing of Buhari.
Daura also commended Nigerians, who organised prayer sessions for the wellbeing of the president.
He assured that the party would continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the electorate.
Alhaji Lawwali Na-Lado, the National Chairman, Inter Party Advisory Council welcomed Mr president and prayed that God would continue to grant him sound health.
He said the president was back to continue with the task of repositioning Nigeria on the path of progress and development.
“We will continue to support him to succeed’’ he said.
Mrs Grace Govo, a school teacher in Daura, who was visibly joyous on the return of the president advised Nigerians to do away with their negative thoughts about Nigeria.
According to her, Buhari is the best thing that happened to this nation.
She said before Buhari came into power, “we were sleeping with out two eyes opened, but thank God the situation is different now’’.
Govo said she had been living in Daura for the past 30 years, adding that she likes Buhari because of his honesty, and incorruptible way of life, and “he has started reforming this nation for good’’.
Hajiya Safiya Daura, the Katsina State APC woman leader urged women to continue to pray for the wellbeing of the president.
According to her, women should expect lofty policies and programmes that would impart their lives positively, with the return of the president.
She commended the efforts of women groups and other relevant organisations that prayed and even fasted for the wellbeing of the president, while thanking God for His mercy upon the president.
Also, people of Katsina trooped out to the streets on Friday to celebrate Buhari’s safe return.
The residents staged a procession in several vehicles round major streets of the encient city, thanking Allah for the president’s safe arrival.
Some of the residents carried posters of the President while others had placards with inscriptions “Oyoyo Baba”, “Sai Baba Buhari”.
One of the residents, Amiru Lukman, said that the show of jubilation was in solidarity with them and to display their love for the President, who hails from Daura in Katsina State.
Lukman solicited for continued prayers to Allah to give the President good health and ability to discharge his duties more effectively.
He commended Nigerians for their support and prayers during the President’s stay in London.
Kano residents also expressed gratitude to God for the safe return of Buhari.
Some of the residents said they were happy that the President returned to the country safely and in good health.
“I heard the news of his return and since then I have been very happy, because Buhari meant well for our country,” a resident Lawal Garba said.
Another resident, Mukhtar Dahiru-Rigachikun said he had no words to express his happiness on the safe return of President Buhari.
“I have no words to express my happiness and gratitude to God for bringing him back to the country safety and in good health.
The only thing I want to add is that Nigerians should thank God for returning him safely and those wishing him dead should desist from such wishful thinking,” he said.
He urged Nigerians irrespective of religious and political inclination to continue to pray for the sustenance of peace and unity in the country.
Even the diehard cynics know that Buhari has done well in tackling the security challenges which bedeviled the country especially in the Northeast region,” he said.
Also commenting, Malam Bala Confirm, expressed happiness on the safe return of the President and advised Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for Buhari and his administration.
Malam Jalaluddeen, a civil servant, expressed the hope that the President would continue with the good works he had started especially the fight against corruption and insurgency.
“Even though the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has done well in his absence but they will now put heads together to move the country forward,” he added.
