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  • Reps honour Buhari with valedictory session, says ex-president left indelible mark

    Reps honour Buhari with valedictory session, says ex-president left indelible mark

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday held a valedictory session in honour of late President Muhammadu Buhari, who died recently.

    Members of the House took turns to eulogise the late President, with Speaker Abbas Tajudeen saying Buhari left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s legislative and democratic landscape.

    The brief session was led by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who read the Speaker’s valedictory speech.

    Speaker Abbas said, “We pause to honour the memory of a statesman who left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s legislative and democratic landscape, President Muhammadu Buhari. His passing at the age of 82 marks the close of a significant chapter in our nation’s history.

    “As we reflect on his life, we do so with solemn gratitude for his service, particularly his contributions to the strengthening of this institution and the laws that will guide Nigeria for generations.

    “All his life, President Buhari toiled and laboured for Nigeria. As a democratically elected President, he was our partner in governance whose respect for the National Assembly’s role fortified our democracy. His commitment to the principle of separation of powers was resolute.

    “He recognised the legislature as a co-equal arm of government, never seeking to dominate or undermine its authority. Instead, he fostered a partnership that enabled us to fulfil our constitutional mandate. His directive to his ministers and agency heads to prioritise appearances before our committees during budget cycles exemplified this respect.

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    “By insisting on their accountability to this House, he ensured that Nigeria returned to a disciplined fiscal process, reinforcing the oversight responsibilities entrusted to us.

    “President Buhari’s tenure as President, from 2015 to 2023, was a period of unprecedented legislative productivity, a demonstration of his willingness to collaborate with the 8th and 9th National Assemblies.

    “Under his watch, 129 bills were signed into law, an impressive legislative record. These were transformative laws that addressed long-standing challenges and reshaped Nigeria’s legal framework.”

    The Speaker said the Not Too Young to Run Act (2018), a constitutional amendment which lowered the age requirements for elective offices, enabling younger Nigerians to participate in governance, empowered a new generation to contribute to Nigeria’s leadership, ensuring that youth are no longer excluded from the political process.

    He said the impact of that reform is already evident in the increasing number of young candidates vying for office, bringing fresh perspectives to our democracy, adding that the presence of so many young Members in the House is partly due to his courage to sign that bill into law.

    He said the Electoral Act 2022 also signed into law by the late President revolutionised the electoral process by introducing electronic transmission of results, early party primaries, and restrictions on government appointees serving as voting delegates, adding that the 2023 general elections, conducted under this framework, marked a significant step toward fairer and more accountable electoral processes, a foundation we continue to build upon.

    Another landmark legislation signed by the late President, according to the Speaker, is the Petroleum Industry Act (2021), which became a reality after nearly two decades of stalled efforts and restructured Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

    Speaker Abbas said further that President Buhari assented to other critical laws that originated in this chamber, including the Police Act (2020), which modernised our policing framework for the first time since 1943; the Nigeria Startup Act (2022), fostering innovation in our digital economy; and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act (2018), advancing the rights of millions of Nigerians.

    He said late President Buhari upheld the independence of the National Assembly, allowing internal democracy to guide its leadership selection and refraining from interference, while his commitment to the rule of law was evident in his administration’s pursuit of anti-corruption cases through the courts, including high-profile prosecutions that signalled a departure from impunity.

    He said, “As we honour President Buhari today, we acknowledge that his legacy, like that of any leader, invites varied perspectives. Some may point to challenges during his tenure, economic difficulties, security concerns, or unfulfilled aspirations.

    .”Yet, in this chamber, we see a broader picture: a leader who served Nigeria for nearly six decades, from a young military officer to a democratic president, always striving for the nation’s progress.

    “His contributions to infrastructure, reviving rail lines like Abuja–Kaduna and Lagos–Ibadan, completing the Second Niger Bridge, and rehabilitating thousands of kilometres of roads complemented the legislative advancements we celebrate today. These achievements, born of his vision and our collaboration, form a foundation for Nigeria’s future.”

    Former Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wase, recalled how the former President prevailed on him to drop his ambition of becoming the Speaker of the House in 2019 in support of three current Chief of Staffs to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

    He said Buhari explained to him that he liked the way Gbajabiamila, as leader of the House between 2015 and 2019, led critical debates on the activities of government, hence his support.

    Ahmed Jaha (APC, Borno) also recalled how Buhari, as President, rescued about 19 out if 22 local government areas in Borno state from the grip of Boko Haram, and created the North East Development Commission to address development challenges in the North East 

  • Senate holds special session for Buhari Wednesday

    Senate holds special session for Buhari Wednesday

    The Senate has said it would hold a special session in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio disclosed this during plenary on Tuesday.

    He said that the tribute session would reflect on his legacy and contributions to national development.

    Last week, the Federal Executive Council held a special session in honour of the late ex-president.

    At the event on Thursday, President Bola Tinubu said that Buhari led the country with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint.

    Buhari died in a London hospital on July 13, where he was receiving medical attention. He was buried last week in Daura, Katsina State, in a ceremony attended by dignitaries from within and outside Nigeria.

    Buhari was President between 2015 and 2023. He was also the head of state between 1983 and 1985.

    Meanwhile, the Senate has denied media reports alleging that it has approved the creation of 12 new states in Nigeria.

    Reacting to the rumours, Akpabio explained that the Senate Committee on Constitution Review has received numerous proposals, saying none has reached the stage of approval.

    “I have seen over 42 proposals, but not one has gone through full deliberation. The process of creating a state is very rigorous and has not been completed in any instance,” Akpabio said.

  • Buhari: Dujima Adamawa pens emotional tribute to late ex-president

    Buhari: Dujima Adamawa pens emotional tribute to late ex-president

    In a deeply emotional tribute, Alhaji Musa Halilu, Chairman of Tilt Group of Companies Ltd., mourned the passing of his in-law, former President Muhammadu Buhari, whom he honoured as a father figure, mentor, and guiding light who profoundly shaped his life over the past three decades.

    Halilu, also known as the Dujima Adamawa, reflected on the significant influence Buhari had, not only on the nation of Nigeria but also on his own personal development. 

    He recounted how the late president’s unwavering principles, disciplined approach, and remarkable humility resonated throughout his life, leaving an indelible mark on his character and values.

    In his heartfelt tribute, titled “A Tribute to a Father, Mentor and Leader, Late President Muhammadu Buhari,” Halilu expressed that Buhari’s impact extended far beyond political spheres; he served as a foundational pillar in his life. This relationship had shaped Halilu’s moral compass and provided guidance for more than 30 years.

    “It is with a heavy heart and immense gratitude that I write this tribute to Late President Muhammadu Buhari, a man whose presence in my life transcended political roles and national authority,” Halilu stated. “To me, he was more than a President; he was a father figure, a mentor, and the guiding light who molded my character over three decades.”

    Reflecting on the privilege of growing up under Buhari’s mentorship, Halilu noted, “From my earliest interactions with him, I was struck by his calm strength and unwavering principles. He led by example, commanding respect not through loud declarations but through the integrity of his character.”

    “For three decades, Buhari instilled invaluable lessons that defined leadership for Halilu. “He taught me the essence of discipline, impressing upon me the importance of consistently doing what is right, even when it is challenging. He emphasized that trustworthiness is paramount, one’s word must always be one’s bond, and loyalty to the truth is non-negotiable. He also demonstrated humility; success should be carried with grace, and one should lead without arrogance, regardless of how far one ascends. Most crucially, he instilled in me the concept of selflessness, that serving others, especially one’s country, is the highest calling a person can embrace.”

    Halilu also shared a personal connection, highlighting that the late former president was his brother-in-law, married to his sister, Aisha Buhari. He praised Buhari’s exemplary leadership, emphasizing how his calm demeanor, unwavering integrity, and principled governance left a lasting impression. These were not merely lessons; they were virtues he consistently lived out, observable day after day, year after year, not in grand gestures, but in the persistent commitment of a man dedicated entirely to the betterment of Nigeria.

    “It was a thrilling experience to be part of his political journey, which culminated in his presidency, a journey I consider fortunate to have witnessed and participated in,” Halilu reflected. “He embodied democratic values, courage, and steadfast conviction.”

    To the world, Buhari was a Head of State and later a democratically elected President. To Halilu, however, he was “BABA,” a constant source of wisdom, guidance, and strength. “He corrected me when I wavered, offered guidance when I was uncertain, and inspired me to strive for greater achievements, not for selfish gain, but for the greater good of others,” he shared.

    In his concluding remarks, Halilu emphasized the enduring legacy of the late president, a legacy that remains deeply cherished by those who knew him intimately. “His legacy will undoubtedly be chronicled in history books, debated in policy circles, and celebrated by a grateful nation. But for me, it is profoundly personal,” Halilu stated. “As we mourn his passing, we also celebrate a life well-lived, one marked by courage, conviction, and an absolute devotion to Nigeria and the values that bind us together.”

    “Nagode Malam Musa, a sauka Lafiya,” were the last words spoken to him by President Buhari during Halilu’s visit to bid farewell on the 6th of July, 2025, while the late president lay in a hospital bed in London. “Rest in Aljannah Firdaus, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.”

  • Buhari’s place in history

    Buhari’s place in history

    By nature, besides our immediate families, we all belong to two groups- our cultural group and as membership of greater society. That we very often first gravitate towards our cultural group is natural because we are products of that culture. Therefore no one should be ashamed of being Igbo, Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, and Ijaw Ibibio etc. The true test of leadership however is the capacity to break through this cultural barrier and still be fair to all in a multi-cultural and heterogeneous society. This critical test, many have argued, Buhari failed especially during his first coming as a military leader

     It was as if he had come to continue Uthman Dan Fodio, his great forbearer’s unfinished war against the Yoruba nation. He and Tunde Idiagbon, also Fulani, openly lied against Awolowo’s progressive governors of Edo, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos states claiming they confessed to receiving bribes. What happened was that some contractors made donations to the ruling UPN party. The donations were properly documented. And the proceeds were deployed by the governors to build universities, teaching hospitals and other social infrastructures in Edo, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos for the benefit of all Nigerians. But Buhari and Idiagbon went on to sentence  the old men to jail terms ranging from 100 years to 200 years with some of them becoming blind in prison.

    Wole Soyinka, the conscience of the nation was forced to observe that the Buhari coup was a coup against the opposition. First, the characters responsible for the collapse of the second republic were known. Obasanjo publicly admitted he aided the emergence of Shehu Shagari as president in 1979.  MKO Abiola, his fellow Egba kinsman and a business partner of some military leaders was one of those who wrecked the economy between 1999 and 1983 as a beneficiary of indiscriminate issuance of import license to import communication equipment that were never installed. To many, he was a man without moral compass who publicly admitted getting his American ITT chairman drunk to take over as chairman for Africa after sending his pathetic picture to ITT headquarters. The legendary Fela waxed a record about “ITT, international thief thief.”

    Buhari and his military junta could also not have pretended not to know those who rigged the 1983 election with the help of the likes of Walter Ofonagoro with crooked theory of “land and sea-slide victories’ in opposition strong holds “and those who in four years ran the economy aground despite Awolowo’s repeated warning that ‘the economic ship of state was heading towards the rocks’ and those who engaged in massive rigging of the 1983 election.

    Yet President Shagari on whose desk the buck stops was kept under a house arrest in Sokoto while Alex Ekwueme, his VP was in detention  and NPP and NPN coalition partners, who diverted secured foreign infrastructural loans  to setting up private banks and building new houses got away with a slap on the wrist.

    But in spite of Buhari’s failure in the above department, history will record him as a Nigerian patriot who, unlike his illustrious forebears including the revered Uthman dan Fodio, Ahmadu Bello and his fellow nationalists, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo, chose from age 19 to fight and defend the integrity of Nigerian state and remained faithful until his death at 81 last week. Indeed with the exception of Herbert Macaulay who died in the north mobilising Nigerians against the British, long before independence, there is no record of any other Nigerian leader that set out at dawn to defend the integrity of the nation.

    In this regard, let us take a brief journey through recent history.

    Uthman Dan Fodio never pretended to be a Nigerian. He is remembered more as a revered Islamic scholar who following the murder of his host, King Yunfa of Gobir, employed the services of Benue and Plateau professional mercenaries, to carry out a jihad among the Hausa states between 1804 and 1808. He thereafter shared the spoils of war as emirates among his children and brothers.

    While Buhari enjoyed cult life followership among ordinary poor northerners, Ahmadu Bello was a feudal lord who enjoyed the loyalty of his serfs. He never pretended to be a Nigerian. In fact in 1950, he gave the condition for the north to remain part of Nigeria. Between 1960 and 62, he was involved in controversial northernisation policy which saw to the exit of over 2000 Igbo and British expatriates workers from the northern bureaucracy. He was always referring to the 1914 amalgamation of the north and south as the “mistake of 1914”.

    Awolowo said “in spite of his protestation to the contrary, Azikiwe himself was an Ibo jingoist” who gave the game completely away when he, as president of Ibo State Union formed in 1943 declared “it will appear the God of Africa has specifically created the Ibo nation to lead Africa from bondage of all ages”. But when in 1948, the Yoruba intelligentsia after their 16 years Yoruba war with the launching of Egbe Omo Oduduwa in Lagos (not Onitsha or Enugu), Zik’s West African Pilot declared war  “against the Egbe Omo Oduduwa leaders at home, and abroad, uphill and down dale in the streets of Nigeria and residences of its leaders with Zikist youths in the manner of today’s ‘Obidients’ attacking the persons and properties of leaders like Sir Adeyemo Alakija, Dr Akinola Maja, Sir Kofo Abayomi, Bode Thomas and others.

    Chief Awolowo along with his lieutenants SL Akintola, Bode Thomas, Adekunle Ajasin etc. were foremost Nigerian nationalists and federalists. While their world view is “wanting the best for others as they want for themselves”, they never believed any other culture was superior to their Yoruba culture in Nigeria. It was on account of this they came up with regionalism, which they claimed will prevent the nation from being ruled by one-eyed king.

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    Buhari was the only Nigerian who set out at dawn to protect the unity of Nigeria. At 19, he was indoctrinated to march from Makurdi to Enugu believing he was fighting a war to keep Nigeria united when in fact the war was initially between the Hausa Fulani and Igbo. At 21, his commitment to the Nigerian nation became only consolidated when the Igbo rebels rather than confront their attackers from the northern front, chose to overrun Benin where they appointed an Igbo administrator.

    Then they entered the West through Ore with eyes on Lagos whose administrator, Emeka Ojukwu arrogantly declared he would appoint after its pacification. In fact, Obasanjo was to admit it was the Biafra misadventure that turned the table against the Igbos with Yoruba youths joining the military in droves to meet the shortfall of less than 50 Yoruba foot soldiers on January 16 1966 when Igbo and Hausa Fulani soldiers turned our historic cities of Ibadan, Abeokuta and Lagos to cities of blood and pain.

    During his first coming in 1983, there was no doubt Buhari fell fighting on behalf of Nigeria. His rejection of IMF loan including devaluation of naira, opening of our market to labour of other societies, removal of fuel subsidy and stoppage of importation of wheat and attracted the IBB-CIA sponsored palace coup that led to his incarceration for three years while IBB fulfilled IMF demand that landed us in today’s economic quagmire.

    He tried to return to power in 2003, 2007 and 2011 all ending in heroic failures. He wept publicly for Nigeria he loved dearly. But Tinubu brought him back from political retirement and saw to the actualization of his dream in 2015.

    Before he took over in 2015, former CBN governor, Chukwuma Soludo, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Jonathan finance minister admitted Jonathan administration was borrowing money to pay salaries with both predicting a dire economic future.

    His inability to take hard decisions in order not to hurt his cult-like followership led to the near collapse of the economy with some of his trusted appointees like CBN’s Godwin Emefiele engaged in printing of over N30 trillion in ways and means while he and his friends smiled to the bank through foreign currency round tripping. Unfortunately, his social intervention initiatives, by far the largest in the history of the nation, could not stand against hard economic laws.

    As President Tinubu and many others have said in their tribute, Buhari’s good intentions were never in doubt. Buhari, the author of ‘Nigerians have no other country to call their own’, who selflessly fought for the most vulnerable Nigerians will forever live in the hearts of millions who saw him as incorruptible.

    I am not sure we can say that of many of his contemporaries.

  • Forgive Buhari, blame cabal — Ex-NAFDAC Director urges Nigerians

    Forgive Buhari, blame cabal — Ex-NAFDAC Director urges Nigerians

    A former Director of Public Affairs at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Abubakar Jimoh, has urged Nigerians to forgive the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, arguing that it was members of his inner circle who sabotaged his administration.

    Dr. Jimoh, now an Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at the University of Abuja, made the appeal in a statement on Monday, saying Buhari came into office with genuine intentions to reform the country but was let down by close aides and powerful cabinet members.

    He noted that Buhari’s original vision was to address maladministration, revive the economy, reduce poverty, and tackle insecurity. However, he said this vision was hijacked by individuals within his “kitchen cabinet” who failed to uphold the trust placed in them.

    “Late President Buhari had the best of plans and intentions to rescue Nigeria from maladministration, economic woes, poverty, and insecurity. Unfortunately, some members of his kitchen cabinet who were entrusted with significant responsibilities betrayed that trust and derailed his lofty vision for the country,” Dr. Jimoh stated.

    While acknowledging that ultimate responsibility rests with the president, Jimoh insisted that many of Buhari’s appointees pursued personal agendas, undermining the reforms he had hoped to implement.

    He appealed to Nigerians to view Buhari’s legacy through the lens of his intentions rather than the failings of those who surrounded him.

    “I totally disagree with anyone who claims there were no cabals during Buhari’s administration,” he said. “Every government has a cabal or what you may euphemistically refer to as the kitchen cabinet and oligarchic influencers. The problem is when these groups overshadow the president’s vision and sabotage it from within.”

    Dr. Jimoh described Buhari as a pious, honest, and patriotic statesman who was “tragically betrayed” by those closest to him. 

    He said the overwhelming goodwill that brought Buhari to power in 2015 was “squandered by wicked individuals who failed to match his vision with effective governance.”

    Citing a private conversation he had with the former First Lady, Dr. Aisha Buhari, in 2018, Dr. Jimoh said she had expressed disappointment with the performance of key government officials and state governors, describing them as “below expectations.” 

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    According to him, the former First Lady was determined to continue pushing for the realization of the late president’s dream of a better Nigeria.

    “This is why I am asking Nigerians to forgive Buhari,” he added. “Let us rather blame the cabals who derailed his administration. This is a vital lesson for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure his own kitchen cabinet does not sabotage his Renewed Hope agenda.”

    Dr. Jimoh further cited teachings from both the Bible and the Quran, which encourage forgiveness, especially in light of the Buhari family’s recent plea for national understanding and reconciliation.

    The statement comes amid ongoing debates among citizens and political analysts over the true legacy of Buhari’s presidency, which ran from 2015 to 2023 and was marked by both achievements and criticism, particularly in areas of economy, security, and governance.

  • MHWUN mourns, hails Buhari’s legacy of integrity, social welfare, labour reforms

    MHWUN mourns, hails Buhari’s legacy of integrity, social welfare, labour reforms

    The Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has described the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari as painful and a great loss to the nation, describing him as a patriot, visionary leader, and statesman of uncommon integrity.

    In a condolence message jointly signed by the union’s National President, Comrade Dr. Kabiru Minjibir, and Secretary General, Comrade Auwalu Yusuf Kiyawa, MHWUN extended its sympathy to the former First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, the entire Buhari family, and the Nigerian people, describing the late president’s passing as “an unimaginable colossal loss.”

    “President Buhari was admired and trusted by many Nigerians who believed in his democratic values and commitment to national service,” the union said.

    “He demonstrated this by refusing to interfere in the 2023 general elections, allowing a free and fair process to determine his successor, an uncommon act of political maturity and patriotism.”

    The statement highlighted Buhari’s concern for the poor and vulnerable, citing his administration’s school feeding programme, social investment schemes, and conditional cash transfers, which were aimed at reducing poverty and improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

    “His love for young Nigerian children drove the introduction of the school feeding programme, which drastically reduced the number of out-of-school children.

    He also supported poor families through social welfare initiatives and poverty alleviation efforts,” the statement added.

    MHWUN also praised Buhari’s resistance to pressure from international financial institutions to abruptly remove fuel and electricity subsidies, commending his preference for a gradual approach that would protect citizens from hardship.

    “Despite mounting pressure from the World Bank and IMF, he refused to yield to abrupt subsidy removal, insisting on a path that safeguarded the interests of ordinary Nigerians.”

    The union further recalled Buhari’s legacy in agriculture through the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, which they said boosted food production and rural livelihoods.

    Describing him as a “labour-friendly president,” MHWUN applauded his approval of the N30,000 minimum wage, the extension of retirement age and years of service for teachers, and recent reforms across the civil service, including the health sector.

    Read Also: Muhammadu Buhari: A leader of unwavering conviction, enduring legacy

    On infrastructure, the union listed the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, the revival of the country’s railway system, and the rehabilitation of key expressways such as Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna roads as major milestones of his presidency.

    “His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, which helped Nigeria record relatively low mortality rates compared to other countries, also stands out as a notable achievement,” the statement said.

    Recalling Buhari’s long and distinguished service including as military governor, petroleum minister, military Head of State, and two-term civilian president, the union hailed his personal integrity and incorruptibility, saying “not an iota of corruption was ever traced to him.”

    The union prayed for the repose of his soul, asking Allah to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.

  • Muslim, Christian prayers end Buhari’s mourning week

    Muslim, Christian prayers end Buhari’s mourning week

    Events organised for the funeral of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died last Sunday ended yesterday with Muslim and Christian prayer sessions in Abuja.

    The activities started with the sending of Vice President Kashim Shetimma by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to London to bring Buhari’s body.

    The President declared seven days of mourning and flying of flags at half-staff. These ended yesterday.

    The President also declared Tuesday, the day Buhari was buried, as a public holiday.

    On Tuesday, Buhari’s body was interred at his home in Daura before President Tinubu, Shettima, foreign heads of government and top government officials.

    Prayers were held on Wednesday and Thursday in Daura.

    Also on Thursday an extra-ordinary Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting was convened where tributes  were paid to Buhari.

    The meeting was attended by four of his children, including his only son Yusuf.

    The President, while rounding off proceedings, renamed the University of Maiduguri after the late former president.

    Muslim and Christian clerics yesterday in Abuja prayed for the repose of Buhari’s soul.

    The special prayer sessions for the late President were coordinated by the Federal Government.

    At the eighth-day fidau held at Ansar-Ud-Deen Mosque in Maitama, Abuja. Muslim clerics and politicians showered prayers and poured eulogies on the late President.

    There was a recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Muslim clerics and a sermon on the importance of integrity and honesty amongst leaders.

    Leading the du’a, the Chief Imam of the mosque, Dr. Musa Olaofe, described the late President as an epitome of honesty, integrity, and dedication. He prayed to Allah (SWT) to forgive his shortcomings, comfort his family, and grant them fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    Eulogising the former President, the convener of the Fidau session, Alhaji Nasiru Danu (Sardaunan Dutse), said the late Buhari had set a template for all serving and future leaders to emulate.

    Dignitaries at the prayer session included former Ministers Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Hadi Sirika (Aviation), and Hajia Sa’adiya Umar-Faruk (Humanitarian and Disaster Management).

    Also, at the solemn national memorial church service, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, urged Nigerians to reflect deeply on the legacies of the departed leader.

    Akume described the former President as a disciplined and principled statesman who led with conviction, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress.

    In a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen. The SGF said: “Though not perfect, he fought a good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. His legacy in national security, social protection, and institutional reforms – including the Petroleum Industry Act – will remain part of Nigeria’s development history.”

    Akume hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the renaming of the University of Maiduguri to Muhammadu Buhari University, Maiduguri, in a posthumous recognition of the former President’s contributions to national development.

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    Dignitaries at the special prayer session included the representative of Senate President, Deputy Senate Majority Whip Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, members of the National Assembly, ministers, top government officials, former Secretaries to the Government of the Federation, retired Permanent Secretaries, and other distinguished Nigerians.

    Also, the family of the late President Buhari has expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, world leaders, and others for their support since the demise of their patriarch.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the former President, Malam Garba Shehu, said the Malam Daura, the most senior member of the Buhari family, expressed the family’s gratitude.

    According to the statement, Daura singled out President Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi, for their role and that of Akume, before and after the passing of the former President.

    The statement reads: “It is truly comforting to receive such support from the President and the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who went to the United Kingdom, and here in Daura, for the days he and the ministers were during the mourning period.  These have instilled confidence in all of us to face this loss with courage.

    “We are deeply grateful to the President on his thoughtful gestures in declaring a public holiday and renaming the University of Maiduguri after Buhari.

    “Our gratitude also goes to leaders of the various countries around the globe who either came in person, sent representatives, sent letters, or placed personal telephone calls to commiserate with us. Of special note were those of the King of England, King Charles 111, the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, the Chairman of the African Union, and that of the Committee of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS countries, and our former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    “Muhammadu Buhari’s demise is an irreparable loss and its pain is beyond words, but the general reaction and kind  expressions give us the strength to cope with the loss of our esteemed family member and former leader of the country.”

  • Immortalise Buhari with good governance, Bakare urges leaders

    Immortalise Buhari with good governance, Bakare urges leaders

    The Presiding Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), Pastor Tunde Bakare, yesterday urged Nigerian leaders to immortalise former President Muhammadu Buhari by giving the nation good governance.

    Bakare, an associate of the late Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, and the late President Buhari, said this while addressing reporters while paying a tribute to the late leaders.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was held at the CGCC in Oregun, Lagos.

    Former President and Oba Adetona died on July 13.

    Bakare noted that the exit of both leaders, who were his good friends and nationalists, should be a rallying point for harnessing their patriotic legacies to move the nation forward.

    “I found myself pondering the fact that both leaders died the same day,” he said.

    Read Also: Buhari family expresses gratitude to Tinubu, Nigerians, global leaders for outpouring of support

    Bakare, a former presidential running mate to Buhari, reminisced on the lives and legacies of the deceased.

    He said the three of them were friends and brought together by providence for national cohesion.

    According to him, Buhari’s dream for a better Nigeria was peerless and resonated in his integrity and forthrightness to the nation’s development while in office.

    “The best Nigeria could do for the late former President is to advance his dream of a functional Nigeria, a Nigeria where there will no longer be oppression of any kind, advancement of the rule of law, and judicious deployment of the nation’s resources for the common good,” he said.

    Bakare urged Nigerian leaders to build on Buhari’s legacy for an equitable and just nation.

  • Inheriting Buhari

    Inheriting Buhari

    As former President Muhammadu Buhari lay, wrapped in his final shroud, in his tranquil bed, some politicians started to exploit the man’s afterglow. That afterglow, in quest for a better word, I would describe as his crowd. Some will call it his structure.

    Before he passed on, some cynical politicians did not offer the man a peace in his hearth. They turned him into a shrine of sorts, as though by bowing and flattery they could automatically take over what Boss Mustapha described as his 12.3 million followers.

     Especially in Kaduna, they became dubious pilgrims powered by messianic self-delusions.

    The man did not give them what they sought, especially some of them from the north who appeared to be his faithful servants, including former Kaduna State governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Abubakar Malami, etc. They shrouded themselves as his inheritors, the custodians of his legacy, the messengers of the might he left behind.

    The same fellows should have asked a pertinent question when the man died. Where were the 12 million folks in his funeral hour? Where were their tears and where were their wailing agonies on the streets? They should have known that the 12 million exist, but they do not exist under anyone’s umbrella anymore.

    They are there for the taking. They have been there for the taking even before the man died, or even before the man left office.

    If Buhari was a man of integrity, it is now clear that integrity is not enough to govern.

    He was a rose in a sty, but a rose cannot extinguish a sty’s scent.

    That is what we are left with. The 12 million expected much from their man who was known as Sai baba. But two things account for why that crowd is now there for the taking.

     One, according to this reporter’s investigations, the northern streets expected him to unleash a campaign against the high and mighty who oppress the talakawa. They waited in vain.

     “The northern poor loves you when you deal with the rich people,” a fellow told me from the north.

    But more important is that the man had a vision to help the talakawa, and that accounted for the formation of the humanitarian system under the charge, initially, of vice president Yemi Osinbajo.  Buhari was sanguine about this project, and it included, among others, conditional money transfer. What happened to the billions that Buhari devoted to the rescue of the poor?

    That is a query his men, especially the former governors of the north, must answer. And this must include, his aides and ministers who were associated with this project.

    Much of that fund did not enrich the poor.  Rather it alienated and further pauperised the northern talakawa.

    The template was wrong from the beginning. They did not tell president that, to reach the northern poor, they did not need to depend on conventional banks.

    Read Also: Tinubu urges unity, pays tribute to late Awujale of Ijebuland

    The vice president then who held the ace did a lot of work visiting the communities in the south. If it did not pull weight in the south for all the investments, how could it have done well in the north. There was a palpable disconnect between ideas and people.

    The reason was that most states in the north have too few bank branches, and it became almost impossible to reach these people. In the south, some states have bank  branches enough to dwarf five or six states together.

    Take away Lagos or Abuja, but just look at Delta and Akwa Ibom. Both states have more bank branches than 10 northen states put together, except perhaps Kano and Kaduna. Yet, a lot of money was allocated, year-on-year, for this task.

    National Assembly investigations revealed that much of the money was not accounted for, and it led to a wave of angry rhetoric. Yet, the northern governors who held the key to saving it did not rise to the occasion.

    Buhari’s aides also were dead from the neck up. N-Power, the name we knew it by, was impotent for the throng in the north.

    The poor had hoped, and Buhari believed. But in the end, hope and belief collapsed on the incompetence of politicians whose devotion to their boss’ ideal was cynical and self-serving. That was how the big, swirling masses lost gusto and became disillusioned.

    Before his death, Buhari was aware of this and his comments reflected a sense of acceptance that he might have done things better. He took it as a man.

    So, when he received these slobbering, fawning politicians in Daura and Kaduna, he was aware these same politicians were undertaking a futile search. They were in phony worship of a shrine but they had betrayed the deity.

    In the last part of his reign, Osinbajo had to be decoupled from the humanitarian project because the operators had failed the ideal.

     Buhari reorganised it, but there was no zeal or integrity among those who took over. In the end, they alienated him from his beloved folks.

    So, when a man like Boss Mustapha speaks of a 12.3 million crowd, he should look at the mirror because he was, as the government’s scribe, in the centre of connecting his boss with his crowd. He failed, and woefully.

    It is the way of charismatic folks that once they leave, their followers are like sheep without a shepherd. The followers are no longer there for plucking.

    Whether it is Awo, or Sardauna, or Mandela or De Gaulle or Josip Bros Tito, once they depart the stage, no one claims their followers.

    They are open to new ideas, new entreaties and entrances, new wooers, new charismas. They are fresh clay waiting for new moulders.

    So, those who say they belong to the CPC, and they inherit his followers, have no sense of history. When he left ANPP, did the party not become a ghost? It was his charisma, his spiritual face, his magnetic carriage, aura of rectitude that pulled the crowd. The CPC folks should stop deceiving themselves.

    Again, men like Atiku and their new ADC squatters should not forget that they are following a phantom, not a crowd.

    They are inaugurating the new form of politics that may be termed the politics of absent crowd. Nothing demonstrated this more than the crowd’s lack of eruption of funeral agony as the man passed. It should be a cause for pause, for contemplation rather than exploitation by all these politicians who have no other ideas but to walk on the man’s grave. If anything, it shows that the masses cannot always be taken for granted.

    When De Gaulle resigned as French leader, he expected to see a throng outside his window the next morning.

     His ambience was as quiet as a wilderness. He was to learn that you have to always cultivate the people. De Gaulle must have felt like the character in Ishiguro’s Nobel Prize-winning novel written decades later titled: The Remains of the Day, in which the main character thinks of what might have been if he cultivates his loved one at the right time.

     Buhari has done his bit and left, but these cynical politicians are looking for pieces.

    The ADC folks are looking for the remains of the man, whereas they should have done the right thing when he gave them the window and wherewithal to save the talakawa.  They did not sow with him, and now they want to reap. They failed, so they are finding it hard to sail.

  • Muslim clerics, politicians hold special 8-day prayers for Buhari in Abuja

    Muslim clerics, politicians hold special 8-day prayers for Buhari in Abuja

    • …as family sends appreciation to Tinubu, world leaders, others

    Muslim clerics and political figures across religious and political lines gathered in Abuja on Sunday for a special 8th-day Fidau prayer in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who recently passed away.

    The solemn prayer session, held at the Ansar-ud-Deen Mosque in Maitama, featured Qur’anic recitations and a sermon on the virtues of integrity and honesty in leadership.

    Leading the du’a, the Chief Imam of the mosque, Dr. Musa Olaofe, described the late Buhari as an embodiment of integrity, dedication, and humility. 

    He prayed for Allah (SWT) to forgive his shortcomings, comfort his family, and grant him eternal rest.

    “Allah has done well for Buhari. In a country like Nigeria, living beyond 80 years is a blessing. We thank Allah for his life,” Dr. Olaofe said. 

    “We pray that Allah forgives our father, General Muhammadu Buhari, who ruled this country and loved it more than himself.”

    In her remarks, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Hajia Sa’adiya Umar-Faruk, encouraged Nigerians to reflect on Buhari’s legacy and emulate his values. 

    “Every Nigerian is expected to pray for him and continue to do our best to follow his example,” she said.

    Also speaking, former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, praised the late president’s unwavering commitment to service. 

    “Whatever may be said about him, Buhari’s integrity and honesty were undeniable. He lived for Nigeria.”

    The convener of the du’a session, Alhaji Nasiru Haladu Danu, the Sardaunan Dutse, said the late president had laid a template for leadership that future leaders must follow.

    Dignitaries present at the event included former Minister of Transportation, Chief Rotimi Amaechi; Senator Hadi Sirika; Hajia Sa’adiya Umar-Faruk; and several other prominent figures.

    Read Also: First Lady leads delegation on condolence visit to Buhari family in Daura

    Meanwhile, the Buhari family has expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and world leaders for their support during their period of grief.

    A statement issued by Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the late president, quoted the eldest family member, Malam Mamman Daura, as acknowledging the heartfelt condolences. 

    He particularly commended President Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, for their unwavering support before and after the passing of the former leader.

    The statement reads, “It is truly comforting to receive such support from the President and the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, who went to the United Kingdom, and here in Daura, for the days he and the ministers during the mourning period. These have instilled confidence in all of us to face this loss with courage.

    “We are deeply grateful to the President on his thoughtful gestures in declaring a public holiday and renaming the University of Maiduguri after Buhari. 

    “Our gratitude also goes to leaders of the various countries around the globe who either came in person, sent representatives, sent letters, or placed personal telephone calls to commiserate with us. Of special note were those of the King of England, King Charles 111, the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed, the Chairman of the African Union, and that of the Committee of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS countries, and our former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    “Muhammadu Buhari’s demise is an irreparable loss and its pain is beyond words, but the general reaction and kind expressions give us the strength to cope with the loss of our esteemed family member and former leader of the country.

    “The family is equally grateful to Vice President Kashim Shettima in his own person and his wife, and to all state governors, especially those of Katsina, the host governor Dr Dikko Umar Radda; Professor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State and all those who visited us in the UK and Daura from Adamawa, Kano,Kwara, Lagos, Kaduna, Imo, Nassarawa, Bauchi, Sokoto, Kebbi as well as the several former governors, including Dr Peter Obi for their compassionate words of condolence. Your empathy has touched our hearts deeply, and we are truly grateful for your kindness.

    “We express our deep appreciations to former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Architect Namadi Sambo, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, and Ambassador Babagana Kingibe as well as to the President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Honorable Tajuddeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and the other leaders and members of the National and State Assemblies.

    “We do sincerely thank the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume and his predecessor in office, Boss Mustapha, the current Chief of Staff, Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila and his predecessor, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, former and serving members of the cabinet in both administrations for their activities in these events and their comforting words.

    “We are very pleased with the amazing gestures of our traditional leaders, notably the Sultan of Sokoto, the Shehu of Borno, the Emir of Gwandu and the host emirs of Katsina and Daura, as well as the various emirs and chiefs from all over Nigeria and the neighboring countries who came in person or sent representatives.

    “We have been honored by the large turnout of religious leaders, Islamic, Christian and of other faiths, community leaders, women, youth and politicians of various leanings whose surge in Daura was both challenging and reassuring.

    The family in Daura is also thanking past and serving security and intelligence, police and military leaders, permanent secretaries, and the rank and file civil servants, community groups and associations, civil society, and the media of communications.

    “The expresses it appreciation to the nation’s business leaders who visited Daura in the persons of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Isyaka Rabi’u, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, Kola Adesina and Nasiru Danu.

    “We also take this opportunity to thank the entire citizens of this country and those of other nations represented by their missions in Nigeria.

    “All of Nigeria came out in force to bury Buhari and condole with us and pray for him. We are deeply grateful for the visits, the condolence messages, and prayers on him. We are thankful to all. 

    “We respect your prayers as I and the family go through this period. May the Almighty Allah bless and reward you all.”