The late President Muhammad Buharii ruled as a military dictator from 1983 to 1985 and later became president of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023. He was succeeded by the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He was married to Safinatu Yusuf and Aisha Halilu with 10 children.
During his time as president, he was perceived to be incorruptible. He encouraged agricultural development by urging banks to lend to the sector and restraining foreign exchange for food importation that could be produced and grown locally. This was put in place to boost production in the country. In 2016, Buhari launched the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) aimed at reducing poverty, unemployment and increasing social welfare and this was administered into four programmes. Although he inherited the Boko Haram insurgency, a security menace which saw several young girls abducted as well as adults, Buhari nonetheless secured the release of 21 Chibok girls through a negotiation of sort with the abductors and reclaimed many territories from them.
Despite the major impact he pulled through in the country, Nigeria, like many other parts of the world, went into recession which affected production in the country and many families. The COVID 19 pandemic could have been managed better, reducing the loss of lives in Nigeria through a healthier communication and provision of necessary facilities especially in the local hospitals. The ENDSARS protest which started as a peaceful protest led to the death of many youth and remains a stain on the Nigeria flag. This could have also been prevented if the administration had intervened at the right time. I should also add that due to that protest, a lot of things are done differently today.
The truth is, no one is born with perfection and in every advantage, there is a disadvantage. Buhari encountered many challenges, especially with his health and despite this, he led the country to the best of his capacity, even if some have a different perspective about it. That he died a fulfilled man is a fact of history. He served the country and showed examples of a true leader. He will be remembered for different things good or bad, but that’s life. Buhari has gone but through his journey, he left a good amount of wisdom and service to the country, Nigeria.
May his soul rest in peace with the Lord.