…How he assisted in paying my children’s fees — Gowon
By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA — President Bola Tinubu on Monday led governors, former Heads of State, ministers and other dignitaries in honouring late former President Muhammadu Buhari on the first anniversary of his passing, declaring that Buhari “gave everything he had to this country” without reservation.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the remembrance event held in Abuja, Tinubu described Buhari as a leader whose service, courage and patriotism had left an indelible mark on Nigeria.
He said Buhari’s life was one the country could not forget, noting that the former president had become part of Nigeria’s collective consciousness.
“He served with courage. He served with conviction and with a patriotism that never asked what the nation could return to him,” Tinubu said.
Before delivering the President’s remarks, Shettima recalled Tinubu’s personal intervention when Buhari became ill, saying the President sent him to London with instructions to ensure that the former president lacked nothing.
Shettima said he visited Buhari during his hospitalisation and later had the honour of accompanying his remains back to Nigeria on behalf of President Tinubu and the Buhari family.
Speaking in his personal capacity, the Vice President said: “When you are in power, your friends know you. When you are out of power, you know your friends.”
Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, also paid tribute to Buhari, describing the relationship between the late president and Tinubu as mutually supportive.
Gowon said Tinubu’s support contributed to Buhari’s emergence as president, while Buhari later supported Tinubu’s succession bid.
“This is something for which we must give President Buhari credit. He stood firmly behind President Tinubu so that he could continue serving Nigeria,” he said.
The former Head of State also disclosed how Buhari once came to his aid when he faced difficulty paying his children’s school fees years after leaving office.
Gowon recalled that while living in the United Kingdom, he reached out to Buhari for assistance and the late president ensured that his family received support to settle the fees.
“I appealed to him, and he ensured that my family received assistance to pay those school fees. That was the kind of person he was. He cared for people,” Gowon said.
He added that Buhari governed for all Nigerians, dismissing claims that his administration was only focused on the North.
Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, who served as Kebbi State governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum during Buhari’s administration, described the late president as a leader committed to his family, country and Nigeria’s unity.
“Buhari had prayed that his brother, Tinubu, succeeds him, and Allah granted his wish,” Bagudu said.
Chairman of the Central Organising Committee and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on Buhari’s life of service rather than merely mark his passing.
He disclosed that the Buhari family was working on establishing the Muhammadu Buhari Foundation and Centre, as well as producing publications and other legacy projects to preserve the former president’s contributions to Nigeria.
Representing Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda, Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe described Buhari as one of the rare leaders whose personal integrity became associated with public service.
He highlighted Buhari’s administration’s efforts in infrastructure, agriculture, social investment, anti-corruption and security.
Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum said Buhari remained deeply committed to addressing the challenges facing Borno State, recalling his visits to the state during the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency despite security risks.
The remembrance event was attended by former First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari; the Ooni of Ife; Emirs of Kazaure and Dutse; former Senate President Ahmad Lawan; former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong; former Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar; and governors including Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, Umar Namadi of Jigawa and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi, among other dignitaries.
Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had reportedly prepared a video tribute for the occasion, but it was not played due to what the Master of Ceremonies described as technical glitches.
