Buhari: Celebrating a patriot at 70

On the other hand, however, it is easy because there is probably nothing one can say about Buhari that has not been said – if not written and documented – before with even better clarity. It is hardly practicable for anyone to add value to the person of Gen. Muhammad Buhari, just like no one […]

On the other hand, however, it is easy because there is probably nothing one can say about Buhari that has not been said – if not written and documented – before with even better clarity. It is hardly practicable for anyone to add value to the person of Gen. Muhammad Buhari, just like no one can reduce an ounce out of the tons of respect, belief and sincere goodwill he enjoys from majority Nigerians built overtime through hard work, selflessness and impeccable quality of character.

Even former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his book titled “Not My Will” wrote that: “Muhammadu Buhari as a member of the Supreme Military Council and Head of Petroleum Department was by nature an introvert. But he took any work given to him very seriously. If he failed at whatever he did, it would not be because he did not put in his best. He was as reliable as he was honest and hardworking.”

Obasanjo had another reason to celebrate Buhari’s character in May this year when he described the Congress for Progressive Change leader as an upright man and said he has found his records to be unblemished.

However, that would not stop me, like many of his well wishers, from chipping in a word or two about this epitome of honesty; especially at this time when he is celebrating his 70th birthday.

The age of 70 is no doubt a wonderful thing, the attainment of which is akin to achieving the pinnacle of wisdom. But for Buhari, 70 is just like any other age. His wisdom and quality of character have since reached their peak long before he reached the age of 30. There is no evidence that Buhari of today is any different from Buhari of 1972. It has always been the same humility, the same selflessness and the same seriousness that keep the flame of a burning desire to see a good country built out of Nigeria. Unlike the different “visions” some of which are so confusing to even be understood both in meaning and context, Buhari’s vision for Nigeria is clear and simple – a solid nation built on a foundation of sincerity, purposefulness and equality.

Without doubt, Gen. Buhari has had the opportunity to own the most lucrative oil blocks when he was petroleum minister but chose to remain an “ordinary petrol station queuing Nigerian” oblivious of his record of building and operating at optimum capacity the only four existing refineries in Nigeria; which subsequent maintenance have turned many into dollar billionaires without result.

He had the opportunity to own the choicest plots in Nigerian mega cities, including Abuja but chose to remain the only former Head of State without a sprawling mansion in Abuja. His humble home in Daura deserves a place in the Guinness Book of Records for being the only building housing a Nigerian leader without security cameras, heavily fortified security fences etc. This house doesn’t even have the ordinary barbed wire that differentiates the haves from the have-nots.

It was not by accident that security around Buhari is lighter than what obtained among people of his class. He needs not to be imprisoned from his people. People love him for always standing with them and for them. He remains the only Nigerian with the capacity to pull Nigeria in one direction with a flicker of a finger. His capacity to pull crowd and stand cities still is a reward from Allah (swt) for his exceptional fairness and sincerity of purpose. His magnetic personality is the type that can only be supported by impeccable honesty, brute sincerity and an uncompromising selflessness. It is not for nothing that millions believed and continue to believe in his ability to bring out the best out of Nigeria. He worked hard for that. It is this quality that turned the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) into the nightmare of subsequent regimes. Dead and buried for over a decade, still PTF roads compete better than all roads built by subsequent regime. The impact of PTF intervention in all sectors of the Nigerian economy remains the supportive pillar on which the economy is hanging on precariously for over a decade. To achieve this without a single fleck of dirt is a topic for another day.

As you attain this wonderful age, I pray Allah (swt) should shower more of His blessing and favours on you. Congratulation and Happy birthday Sir.

Kaita represents Kankia/Kusada/Ingawa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives