Lai Mohammed, former minister of information, says he spent
three nights with Muhammadu Buhari during his last visit to the former
president in Daura, Katsina state.
Buhari died on Sunday in a clinic in London, following a
prolonged illness.
In a statement issued on Monday, Mohammed described Buhari’s
death as a deeply personal loss.
He said the former president was not just a boss but also a
mentor, a pillar of support, and a father figure.
“Many have rightly described him in their tributes as a rare
patriot, a man of unwavering faith and character, an incorruptible leader, a
humble statesman and the very epitome of honesty,” he said.
“But beyond those noble attributes, President Buhari was a
true humanist, a man who constantly prioritised empathy, compassion and the
well-being of others in all his actions.”
Mohammed said Buhari always showed concern for his welfare
during their time in office, despite carrying heavier responsibilities.
“Throughout the nearly eight years that I served as the
spokesman for his government, he always asked after my well-being and how I was
coping with the demands of the job, even though the burden he bore was
infinitely heavier,” he said.
“On one occasion, he publicly remarked, ‘I pity Lai
Mohammed’.”
He said Buhari’s confidence in him was a source of strength
during challenging times.
“In his eyes, I could do no wrong, and that unwavering
support meant the world to me,” he said.
The former minister said he kept in touch with Buhari even
after they left office, recalling his last visit to Daura.
“Our special relationship transcended our time in office, as
I made sure I kept in touch with him after he left Abuja, and during my last
visit to Daura, I spent three nights with him,” he said.
He said their final meeting was in Kaduna during the last
Ramadan, although Buhari was not expected to receive visitors, he made time for
him.
“We spent many hours together, just the two of us. Little
did I know it would be our last meeting on this side of the great divide,” he
said.
Mohammed said he continued to check on Buhari’s health
through his aides after he was flown to London for treatment.
He described working with Buhari as a privilege and prayed
for the repose of his soul.
“I pray that Almighty God will forgive all his shortcomings
and grant him Aljannah Firdaus,” he said.
“May He also comfort his family and all Nigerians who mourn
the loss of this remarkable man.”
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com