BREAKING: Shettima, Gowon, governors, traditional leaders, other gather to celebrate Buhari

By Jude Opara

President Bola Tinubu has described the late former President, General Muhammadu Buhari as a dependable patriot who worked for the unity and development of the country.

Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the first year remembrance ceremony of late former President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday said the entire country will continue to miss the late President.

He noted that despite the fact that Buhari has passed, it will be difficult for the country to forget what did because through his service to the nation, he has entered the consciousness Nigerians.

“We are gathered here today, one year after the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, because the life he lived is not a life this nation is capable of forgetting. He has entered the consciousness of Nigeria, and it is in the nature of such men that their memory outlives the living.

“So we assemble not out of obligation, but out of the necessity of reflection, to consider again what President Buhari meant to us as a friend, as a leader, as a father, as a husband, and as a citizen of this great country”.

Tinubu also shared some of the experiences he had working closely with Buhari as a political ally.

“President Buhari and I were co-travellers on the long road of politics and national development. We worked together through seasons of difficulty and seasons of hope. We shared a deep and abiding passion for a renewed, progressive, and prosperous Nigeria—a nation held together by brotherhood, settled in peace, and generous in abundance so that no citizen is left outside the circle of its promise.

“He gave everything he had to this country, and he gave it without reservation. He served with courage. He served with conviction and with a patriotism that never asked what the nation could return to him.

“From his years as a military leader to his transformation into a democrat and a determined defender of constitutional order, he embodied the very spirit of change and nation-building”.

The President added that Buhari was a man of real honour and character who lives by example, adding that those who knew him closely will attest to that fact, even after his demise.

“Today, we gather to celebrate his memory and to honour a man of real character, a leader who taught by the example of his own life and who departed, leaving behind an inheritance that continues to instruct us.

“We honour him in death as we honoured him in life, and we do so without embellishment because his life required none”.

Tinubu equally consoled the immediate family to take heart and to always remember that the entire country and his administration will continue to stand with them at all times.

Shettima who also spoke thanked President Tinubu for his loyalty and support, and for keeping faith with the friendship and camaraderie that punctuated his relationship with the late President Buhari.

The Vice President equally recalled the last moments of Buhari, how he was despatched to London by President Tinubu to and take charge of events.

“I remember I was in Ethiopia for the Green Africa Initiative when we got wind of the late President’s illness. The President called me and said, “Kashim, I’ve just learned that President Muhammadu Buhari is ill in London. Please kindly proceed to London and find out what is happening, and ensure he lacks nothing.”

“That episode remains a very vivid and everlasting memory for me. I got to see him in the hospital in London. His doctor ushered me in. He wanted to wake him up, but I said, “No, don’t bother.”

“To have also been given the honour of escorting his body on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is one of the greatest honours done to me by the President and by the family of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, and I remain eternally grateful”.

In his tribute, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon who recalled some of the personal memories he shared with Buhari said the late President did his best for the country.

Gowon said the level of support and empathy my Nigerians demonstrated during the burial of Buhari showed the level of respect they had for the late leader.

“My relationship with General Buhari goes back many years. We served together as soldiers, and all of us did our best to keep this country united. I knew him as a gallant soldier and as a man who earned respect.

“President Buhari made significant contributions to the nation. He did his best to seek political leadership that would support his ambition to become President. He contested several times but was unsuccessful”.

The former Head of State further noted that General Buhari was instrumental to the emergence of Tinubu as President.

“When he joined hands with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, they formed a strong political alliance. The support he received from Asiwaju Tinubu certainly helped him to emerge as President. Their partnership remained strong throughout his administration.

“As President Buhari prepared to leave office, he gave his full support to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed him as President. I remember clearly how committed President Buhari was to ensuring that Tinubu received the same support that Tinubu had given him during his own presidential journey.

“This is something for which we must give President Buhari credit. He stood firmly behind President Tinubu so that he could continue serving Nigeria and do his best for the country, just as Buhari himself sought to do.

“I would like to say that President Buhari did his best for Nigeria. His sense of integrity and fairness knew no bounds”.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman, Central Organising Committee and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha said the occasion was not merely about recalling the passing of the former President, but to reflect on his life which he said was of service and to preserve for future generations the memory of a man who devoted much of his adult life to the service of Nigeria.

Mustapha added that his death came as a profound shock to the nation and elicited an extraordinary outpouring of grief across Nigeria, Africa, and many parts of the world.

“His funeral in Daura brought together his successor, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, former Presidents and former Heads of State, delegations from friendly nations and international organisations, elected public officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and representatives of diverse groups and communities from across Nigeria.

“For those of us who were privileged to work closely with him, today’s remembrance is not only a national occasion; it is also deeply personal. We remember a leader whose convictions shaped the decisions he took, whose sense of duty remained unwavering, and whose commitment to the Nigerian state defined his years in public service.

“Your presence here today is a powerful tribute to his memory. It is also a profound expression of solidarity with his family, especially Her Excellency, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, who is here with her children and other members of the family”.

He equally charged those in positions of authority today to always remember that what really matters is not just the aura of office, but the values it adds to the nation.

“As we remember President Muhammadu Buhari today, we are reminded that the true measure of public service lies not only in the offices one occupies, but also in the values and examples one leaves behind. It is our collective responsibility to draw lessons from his life and service to our nation as we continue on this journey”.

In her vote of thanks on behalf of the family, late buhari’s daughter, Safina Buhari revealed that the family has donated the proceeds from the book; From Soldier to Statesman to Al-Qalam University in form of a Computer Science Complex.

“Please permit me to humbly inform Buhari associates, friends, and well-wishers that the proceeds from the book, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, as earlier mentioned in the presentation, which was launched on December 15, 2025, seven months ago, have been donated to Al-Qalam University in the form of a Computer Science Complex, in line with our late father’s long-standing desire to contribute to the development of health and educational programmes”.

Former First Lady and wife of the Late President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari and her children were in attendance.

Also at the event were governors, including: Prof. Babagana Zulum, Dapo Abiodun, Babajide Sanwolu, Abdulrhaman Abdulfatah, Bala Mohammed, Umar Namadi of Bornu, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Bauchi and Jigawa states respectively.

Also other important personalities that graced the occasion include: former Chief of Army Staff, General Lucky Irabo (retd), former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba.

Former Senator President, Ahmed Lawan and former Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba and many other associates were in attendance.