President Bola Tinubu has ordered flags at half-staff as a mark of respect for the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari.

Flying a flag at half-staff, or half-mast, is a symbolic gesture of mourning, respect, or distress, often following the death of a prominent figure or during national tragedies.

The flag is lowered to a position below the top of the flagpole, leaving space above it, which some believe represents an “invisible flag of death”.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy) said: “President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences.