By: Jabiru Hassan.
Director General of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Buba Yakub has joined numerous individuals, groups and countries across the globe to mourn the passing of Nigeria ‘s immediate-past President, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, retd, who passed away at 82.
In a message he personally signed and made available to the public, late Sunday, the former lawmaker said the entire nation was particularly saddened by the sudden passing of a man who gave his all to Nigeria as a soldier, a politician, a mentor to many as well as a nationalist.
Buba, who emphasized that the former Nigerian leader, would forever live in the hearts and minds of generations of Nigerians who knew him and those who would, eventually, read about his incorruptibility and altruistic approach to service, conveyed heartfelt sympathies to President Tinubu, the former President’s immediate family and to all Nigerians.
Part of his statement reads: “On behalf of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) and its Management, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the family, government and good people of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“While we mourn this great soldier, nationalist and Leader, we remember his dedication to democracy, regional stability, and the unity of Nigeria, as well as his unwavering commitment to the anti-corruption crusade, which endeared him to many Nigerians.”
The NTAC boss prayed for the forgiveness of the sins of one of the most popular politicians to traverse the turf of Nigeria. In Buba’s words:
“May Allah grant him Aljana firdausi and grant his family and entire Nigerians the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Born in Daura, Katsina State in 1942, the former President distinguished himself as a soldier, a politician and a national hero of all time. Having held the position of Nigerian leader twice, a Federal Commissioner of Petroleum, a Military Governor of what is today the Northeast Geopolitical Zone as well as the head of Abacha’s development behemoth, the Petroleum Trust Fund, among others, Buhari in service was acknowledged to have lived above board and held his head high as an incorruptible Nigerian.
He will be remembered more by the principles he espoused in leadership than the monuments he built for self, kith or kin.