Buhari: One week after, kinsmen adulate his impacts on Daura

By Mohammed Abba Katsina

ALTHOUGH death is inevitable to all living beings, to Daura people, the birthplace of the late President Muhammadu  Buhari, his demise is a great loss to them and by extension to the entire nation. Most of his kinsmen see his passage as the loss of a political colossus. His life and times changed the political landscape of Daura and the environs.

A week after his demise, the people in the ancient city are yet to fully recover from the shock elicited by news that hit the airwaves. The people are counting the great impact his life brought to the community, relishing the legacies he left behind and are worried about the future of those legacies. They expressed concern if some of the good things the late leader facilitated to the community will be sustained. The life and times of the deceased is the major point for discussion at many gatherings in Daura, with a lot of them already expressing nostalgia about how he was able to reposition the town in the global community. 

One of the concerned residents, a lady who was engrossed in such discussion at a bus stop expressed concern over the place of Daura without Buhari. She said: “I pity our people because some of them may not realise what we have missed in the death of Buhari.”  As the conversations progressed between them, a convoy of top dignitaries was on its way to the residence of the late president to extend their condolences to the family.

“Even the stability of electricity we are enjoying, it is because of Buhari; the establishment of several higher institutions; the placement of Daura indigenes to some lucrative positions in government are all because of Buhari,” another lady said.

“It may take some time before we see such a calibre of people visiting Daura again with the demise of Buhari.”

Throughout the week, planes and convoys of vehicles were busy on the Katsina soil as scores of personalities trooped to the community, the roll call of the dignitaries included the United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, who accompanied Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was in Katsina and Daura for the second time; traditional rulers led by the Emir of Jema’a in Kaduna State. On Saturday evening, the Managing Director of JAIZ Bank led a delegation of bankers to both Katsina State Governor and late Buhari’s family in Daura.

While commiserating with the Katsina Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, the UN Deputy Secretary General,  Hajya Amina offered prayers for the repose of the former leader’s soul, describing Buhari as “a man of honour whose legacy will continue to inspire generations.

“We pray Almighty Allah grant Baba Buhari eternal rest and continue to guide us to follow in his noble footsteps,” she stated.

 Governor Radda, visibly moved by the visit, expressed his deep appreciation. “Your presence here today is not just comforting—it is a message to all Nigerians that President Buhari’s life touched the world far beyond our borders,” he said.

 The solemn gathering turned into a poignant reminder of Buhari’s towering influence on the global stage, as well as the deep bonds of respect he nurtured throughout his years in service.

 Hajiya Amina’s visit added to the growing list of global tributes pouring in for the late president, whose life of integrity and service continues to resonate across continents.

 Similarly, the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Tinubu, while with the governor, emphasised that her presence was not merely ceremonial but a reflection of the profound personal loss felt by her family.

“We are not here today merely out of duty. We are here because this loss is deeply personal,” she said.

 “My husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has lost not just a former Head of State, but a trusted ally and friend of over 30 years. President Muhammadu Buhari was a man of integrity and discipline, who brought honour not only to Daura but to the entire nation,” the first lady added.

 In his welcome address, Governor Radda acknowledged the significance of the First Lady’s visit, describing it as a touching gesture that brought comfort to the people of Katsina and the Daura Emirate.

 “Your Excellency, this marks your second condolence visit to us—the first being on Tuesday, July 15. Your presence here once again is a clear testament to your compassion and solidarity,” he noted.

 “President Tinubu personally received the late President’s remains at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua Airport, joined the funeral procession to Daura, and remained until he was laid to rest.”

 The president had sent a powerful delegation—including the Vice President and over 25 Cabinet Ministers—for the Fidda’u prayers.”

 In the same vein, Mohammed Babangida, the newly appointed chairman of the Bank of Agriculture and son of former Military President, General  Ibrahim Babangida, led a delegation of the IBB family to pay a condolence visit to Governor Radda at the Government House in Katsina. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, Chief Imam of the IBB residence mosque, offered heartfelt prayers for the late president, describing him as “a man of integrity whose life left a lasting impact on the nation.” He prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the late President and asked for strength and comfort for the people of Katsina State and Nigeria.

 Governor Radda thanked the IBB family delegation for their visit, noting the long-standing bond between former General Babangida, the late President Buhari, and Katsina State. He emphasised the importance of unity and continued service to the people in honor of the late President’s legacy. The governor also prayed for former President Ibrahim Babangida’s good health in his continued service to the country.

The body of the late president was interred according to Islamic rites two days after his death at the age of 82 at a clinic in London. His remains were brought to Nigeria and received by President Bola Tinubu at the airport in Katsina State.  It was conveyed in a convoy with a touch of splendor and colour to Daura, with thousands of the people, his admirers and supporters, trooping out to catch a glimpse of the man with a cult followership. Many Islamic funeral prayers were offered at the central mosque before his body was finally interred in a grave dug within the premises of the family house. Others will be leaders, including Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló and Buhari’s Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, were among the dignitaries that paid glowing tributes to the late president. It was amid a 21-gun salute by the military.  The government had declared a public holiday to honour the late general. It recalled that Vice-President Kashim Shettima accompanied the corpse back to Nigeria.

He led the country first as a military ruler from 1983 for less than two years and later as a civilian president for eight years from 2015. They described him as a highly principled leader who abhorred ostentatious lifestyle.

His love by the people was further underscored by scenes of his supporters across political divides, social strata mounted on every available structures and climbed trees to celebrate him in the midst of deafening chants of  “Sai Baba.”

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