Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has bared his mind on late President Muhammadu Buhari.
He said: “Late President Muhammadu Buhari’s greatest legacy is not the array of offices he occupied but the values he embodied throughout his public life.”
“Buhari was an exceptional patriot, an incorruptible leader and a humanist whose commitment to Nigeria remained steadfast from his military career through his two-term presidency.”
“Buhari’s leadership was anchored on integrity, humility, honesty and a rare confidence in his aides, Buhari stood firmly by me despite intense public scrutiny.”
“In 2015 I proposed taking local and international journalists on a military-guided tour of communities in Borno State recently liberated from Boko Haram insurgents.”
“After then Minister of Defence insisted the sensitive operation required the approval of the Commander-in-Chief, Buhari, who was attending an international summit in South Africa, immediately authorised the mission without hesitation.”
“The media tour took journalists aboard a Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft from Abuja to Maiduguri before proceeding under heavy military escort and air cover to Bama, once declared by Boko Haram as the headquarters of its self-styled caliphate.”
“I regarded that as one of the greatest demonstrations of confidence any leader could repose in a subordinate.”
“Buhari handled a petition containing allegations against me. Although the President ordered a discreet investigation in line with due process, Buhari made it clear from the outset that he did not believe the accusations. The investigation eventually cleared me of all allegations.”
“Buhari publicly defended me during a Federal Executive Council meeting after another cabinet member questioned whether the administration was receiving adequate publicity.”
“Buhari informed ministers that he had personally watched my international media engagements and confirmed that I had been effectively projecting the government’s achievements abroad.”
“Buhari is a compassionate leader who consistently showed concern for the welfare of those around him.”
“Throughout my nearly eight years as government spokesman, Buhari would regularly ask how I was coping with the pressures of the job and once publicly remarked, ‘I pity Lai Mohammed,’ a comment I said reflected the late President’s empathy.”
“The widespread perception of Buhari as an austere and distant leader is false. He possessed an engaging personality and a remarkable sense of humour.”
“Buhari once telephoned me while I was in Lagos and politely asked if I could do him a favour by representing him at an event at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs instead of issuing a presidential directive.”
“I remember light-hearted moments during political strategy meetings ahead of the 2015 general elections, when Buhari would jokingly tease him over my routine Monday and Thursday fasting, drawing laughter from everyone present.”
“Few Nigerians had matched the breadth of his military and political experience, having served as Military Governor, Federal Commissioner, Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, member of the Supreme Military Council, Military Head of State, Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, serial presidential candidate and ultimately a democratically elected two-term President.”
“Buhari remained unwavering in his belief in Nigeria’s unity, his role during the Nigerian Civil War and his famous declaration after assuming office as Military Head of State in 1984 that Nigerians have no other country than Nigeria and must work together to save it.”
“Buhari played a decisive role in suppressing the Maitatsine uprising in 1980 and maintained an enduring commitment to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.”
“Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon revealed in his memoir that Buhari quietly came to his financial assistance when he struggled to pay his children’s school fees after leaving office.”
“Although I had admired Buhari long before joining his administration, our relationship deepened after 2015 and continued even after Buhari left office through regular visits to my residences in Daura and Kaduna.”
“Buhari wrote the foreword to my 2012 book, Witness to History, and arrived first at its launch in Lagos, patiently waiting for over an hour before the programme began.”
“It was one of the greatest privileges of my life to have served under Buhari, the former President’s legacy of integrity, patriotism, humility, compassion and selfless service will continue to inspire generations of Nigerians.”