Former President Muhammadu Buhari
The death of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s immediate past President brings to a mortal close, the end of an age.
President Buhari’s life transcended many major seasons of Nigeria’s history.
He joined the military at independence, fought in the Nigerian Civil War, defended Nigeria’s territorial integrity during the Presidency of Shehu Shagari, was Military Head of State and served twice as elected President having also served as Military Governor of the defunct North East State, Minister of Petroleum and Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund.
He gave his best and his all to Nigeria and history will judge his legacy.
For me, the loss is personal. In 1968, he was among the first set of Officers of the Federal troops to enter my hometown, Ikom, when it was liberated during the Nigerian Civil War and I became one of the many children he adopted as his “small friends” as he called us. Years later, when he visited the old Cross River State as the Military Head of State, I was fortuitously assigned to him as his personal chaperon as a 27 year old Commissioner for Works and Transport.. As President he appointed me Chairman of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission and when I asked him what he expected of me from that position, he simply said, “go and develop your region and make friends”..
He meant well for Nigeria and there was no doubt about his integrity.
What is understated about him is his sense of humour and his eternal gratitude to those who had been kind to him in his journey of life. In discussions he would mention names.
He has gone the way of all mortals. His death reminds us all of the democracy of death and dying, the only democracy in which all of mankind, high or low, rich or poor, male or female, is an active participant and in which everyone has a mandatory opportunity.
May he rest in peace!
Senator Victor Ndoma Egba OFR, CON, SAN. Leader of the 7th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Pro Chancellor & Chairman of Council, Federal University, Oye Ekiti.
