Annually, 1st October is historically memorable to Nigeria and Nigerians.
The inseparability between the births of Nigeria’s nationhood and one of her foremost military officers, Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) CFR, can’t be glossed over every October 1. While Nigeria got her independence on 1st October 1960 and marked her 63rd anniversary on Sunday, the man of shared destiny with his country and patriot General Magashi marked 74th birthday, born on 1st October 1949.
At 74, the exemplary life and enviable good name of Magashi is well known across the nooks and crannies of the country. Little wonder, his over seven decades of milestone achievements will remain a reference point for the present and future generations. Quintessential Magashi has deservedly joined the “League of Most Senior Global Citizens” (LMSGC) whose impactful, successful and resourceful top-notch leadership is highly referred, rated and respected. He has the painstaking pedigree for tirelessly raising the bar of patriotic public service in building a virile nation for the new generations of public servants. His visionary and revolutionary leadership yielded results beyond measures in improving the needed quality manpower in the nation’s defence and security sector. No doubt, he achieved this feat through dint of hardwork and extraordinary display of God-inspired spirit of messianic mentorship.
Hate or love him, the fact remains that this humble, humane and urbane principled character nurtured and tutored many within the military landscape that he is fondly called the ‘General of Generals”. If you’re doubting this assertion, ask the former Chiefs of Army Staff Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai, Lt General Farouk Yahaya and the former Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Maj General IM Yusuf and the Chief of Defence Intelligence Maj General EAP Undiandeye.
Magashi bestrode the Nigerian military as an Infantry General in the NDA hall of fame of the 5th Combatant Regular Course from 1968 to1971. Dorning the gab of Babanriga, at the advent of democratic rule in 1999 which coincided with his pulling off of his uniform in retirement as commandant NDA, Magashi gave as much to the nation in the military, as he did as a politician with
equal propensities of passion and patriotism. He defied all temptations to romance other career paths by showing uncommon traits of leadership and soldiering in him at Barewa College which deservedly earned him a pet name of “General” among his classmates. It was “Fate accompli” for the young Magashi in 1968 as he was enrolled in NDA that groomed him to rise through the ranks to become a celebrated, dedicated and decorated two-star General in the Nigerian Army.
From humble beginning as platoon commander, company commander at the 6 Infantry Battalion to adjutant 1st Guards Battalion and later commander of the 4 Guards Batterlion, Epe Lagos the young officer displayed uncommon tenacity, sagacity, capacity and professionalism in service to fatherland.
The Magashi effects in the Nigerian Army broke the tripartite Guinness book of records in NDA. First as an outstanding cadet, second as cadets brigade commander (CBC) in 1988 – 1990 and third, eight years after, precisely in June 1998 he returned to occupy the driver’s seat as the commandant in the same Institution.
Records of activism, patriotism and professionalism exhibited in service to the nation as birthday mate will be incomplete without reference to his appointments as governor of Sokoto state under the then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, 1990 -1992. Also as Commander Guards Brigade, Abuja 1993 -1996, as General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan and as enviable and notable member of the Provisional Ruling Council under the late Head of State General Sani Abacha from 1996 to 1999 are well documented.
It was not easy-breezy for the law graduate of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria who was called to Bar in 1984 to successfully navigate the tough terrains of military career to attain the rank of General. A reminder of the adage “Tough time don’t last but tough people do”. The lawyer-general Magashi also proved doubting Thomases and book makers wrong that retired military officers are apologetic in exhibiting sufficient attributes of democrats in politics.
As a politician, Magashi who graduated in international law in Italy and bagged membership of the Humanitarian Lawyers, in 2002 was the legal adviser of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP. In 2007, the political tactician general became the standard bearer in Kano state governorship race for the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, and later its national chairman. He was appointed minister of defence in August 2019 by then President Muhammadu Buhari.
Magashi, whose awards include Forces Service Star, FSS, Meritorious Service Star, MSS and Distinguished Service Star, DSS, was also decorated with ECOMOG Medal and Silver Jubilee Medal. The Kano born General is a de-tribalised and liberal Nigerian who exudes Nigerianness.
He is an unrelenting advocate of the nation’s unity in diversity. Despite the unwarranted rumour of his death in June this year, precisely one month after his memorable tour of duty as minister, Magashi is still waxing strong in dispensing favour to the less privileged as he retired to a deserving private life without divorcing his first love, Nigeria, to “Japa” like other Nigerians. A Nigerian with a golden heart, Magashi remains a leading light god-fathering, moulding and mentoring younger generations of Nigerians. In all, humorous and generous General Magashi is a Muslim, community man and a wonderful family man.
Happy 63rd Independence Anniversary Nigeria.!
Happy 74th birthday Major General BS Magashi (rtd) CFR!!
Abdulkadri (ANIPR), media aide to Magashi, writes from Abuja.
