By Muyiwa Moyela
President Muhammadu Buhari's rise to the most powerful seat
in Nigeria filled many with hope. He now needs results.
For citizens of Africa's largest economy, 2015 was defined
by hope, politics and economic stagnation. They will remember the year for its
toxic politics, power games, political propaganda, public discourse on
socio-political reengineering and economic inertia.
 |
| President Muhammadu Buhari |
PROFILE OF MUHAMMADU BUHARI, GCFR - PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA
Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) distinguished Nigerian, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (GCFR), the Nigerian Armed Forces Services Star medallist, Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa, of the University of Calabar, Benue State University and Enugu State University, Doctor of Letters, University of Ilorin and Doctor of Science, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. He is an accomplished soldier, a level-headed Statesman, a trustworthy administrator. He has served as Military Governor of the then North-Eastern State, Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources, and Pioneer Chairman of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and as Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nigeria has known many military leaders, but few have had his foresight; fewer indeed, have been as straightforward, as shrewd, as introspective, as peaceful and in the end as quiet, as placid and as respected as General (Dr) Muhammadu Buhari. Some people are born great; others have greatness thrust upon them. Some become great by dint of hard work, discipline, honesty, purposefulness and trust in God. Buhari achieved greatness by this route. General Buhari was born on December 17, 1942, in the town of Daura in the former Katsina province of the then Northern Nigeria.
He went to Primary School in Daura and Mai’adua from 1948 – 1952, before proceeding to Katsina middle School in 1953. He attended the Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College Katsina) from 1956 – 1961. On graduation from Secondary School in 1961, the young Buhari went to the Nigerian Military Training School, Kaduna in 1963.
In October of the same year, he was sent to the officers’ Cadet School in Aldershot in the United Kingdom and was thereafter commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1963 and posted to the 2nd Infantry Battalion, Abeokuta as Platoon Commander in 1963. A contemporary of his in Aldershot said he was like “an only pebble in the beach, a star in his calm and calculating disposition.”
It was at the Abeokuta Garrison that the real traits of a great soldier were identified in the young man. From 1963 – 1964 he was sent for further training on the Platoon Commanders’ Course at the Nigerian Military College, Kaduna. In 1965, he went for the Mechanical Transport Officers’ Course at the Army Mechanical Transport School in Borden, England. He went to the Defence Services’ Staff College, Wellington, India in 1973 and to the United States Army War College from June 1979 to June 1980. One of his testimonials from the War College referred to Buhari as “a gentleman, a soft-spoken soldier, who preserved the ethics of the profession almost as a Quarter-Master-General. He would touch the tip of his cap in greeting for a lady, would never enter a room with his beret on. Always careful with his language, would smile at every joke and would never do anything to rock the boat” these are some of the credentials of the charming officer and
gentleman called Muhammadu Buhari, an independent tribute made to him in far away United States of America more than two decades ago.
This thorough-bred soldier has held several impressive Command and Staff appointments since 1963, including the following:
Platoon Commander, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 1963 – 1964.
Mechanical Transport Officer, Lagos Garrison, 1964 – 1965.
Transport Company Commander, 2nd Infantry Brigade 1965 – 1966;
Battalion Adjutant / Commander, 2nd Infantry Brigade 1966 – 1967;
Brigade Major, 2nd Sector, 1st Infantry Division, April to July 1967;
Brigade Major, 3rd Infantry Brigade, August 1967 – October 1968;
Acting Commander, 4th Sector, 1st Division November 1968 – February 1970;
Commander, 31st Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, February 1970 – June 1971;
Assistant Adjutant-General, 1st Infantry Division Hqrs., July 1971 – Dec. 1972;
Colonel, General Staff, 3rd Infantry Div. Hqrs. Jan. 1974 – Sept. 1974.
Acting Director, Supply and Transport, Nigeria Army Corps of supply and Transport, September 1974 – July 1975;
Military Governor, North Eastern State of Nigeria, August 1975 – March 1976;
Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, March 1976 to June 1978;
Chairman, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, June 1978 – July 1978;
Military Secretary, Army Headquarters July 1978 – June 1979;
Member Supreme Military Council, March 1976 – June 1979;
General Officer Commanding, 4th Infantry Division, Aug. 1980 – Jan. 1981;
General Officer Commanding, 2nd Mechanised Infantry Division, Jan. 1981 – October 1981;
General Officer Commanding 3rd Armed Division Nigerian Army, October 1981 – December 1983.
Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, December 1983 – August 1985.
Indeed General Buhari’s education, training and career have shown him to be an accomplished and exalted soldier who deserves commendation and special recognition, because he has proven to be a man of character, integrity and achievement.
A close study of his character shows a permeating integrity. It was during his tenure that the Nigerian National Oil Corporation and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources were reorganized to form the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and he became its first Chairman, a job he performed without blemish. He masterminded and spearheaded the construction of 20 oil depots throughout the country, a project involving over 3200 kilometers of pipelines. Under his leadership both Warri and Kaduna Refineries were built. He drew up the blueprint for the country’s petro-chemical and liquefied natural gas programmes all without even a hint of scandal.
When the masses of this country were about to riot over the increase in the price of fuel some few years back, the Government of the day calmed them down with the promise that the accrual from reduction subsidy was going to be put in an account and that General Buhari was to be appointed the people’s trustee to that Fund. The riots were averted. The people were happy that somebody they could trust, somebody with a clean record, a safe pair of hands somebody the nation revered and respected, was going to be in charge.
Today, Nigerians recall with nostalgia the probity, accountability and honesty and above all thorough and efficient management of public funds demonstrated by the leadership of General Buhari in all public institutions he worked. This is precisely what people want of their leaders whether military, political or traditional. They are suspicious of the very clever and mischievous; they dislike the overly ambitious; but if they know that a man is transparently honest in his personal and official dealings, they are more than ready to accept him. General Buhari is a man of proven integrity. Wherever you tap his life, there is a ring of truth about it.
It is always dangerous to see a thoroughly good person hijacked from the position for which he got professional training into a position of political leadership, because he could fail so tragically. But General Buhari, though a thoroughbred soldier is naturally equipped for governance and is temperamentally suited for leadership. As Head of State in the country, he did not crack under the pressure of office. He did not flap when things went wrong. He kept his head when others were panicking. He was prepared to be disliked, on the understanding that occasional unpopularity goes with the job of leadership. He faced many crises; personal, domestic and national, and came through all these unscathed.
He is a man of sound vision, judgement and who during his regime, tried to transform the society with his War Against Indiscipline (WAI) policy which won him national and universal applause. A minister in his cabinet once said, he was “an elegantly shrewd and intelligent leader.”
General Buhari is by nature industrious and not afraid of hard work. He finds his way to the heart of a problem and rapidly sorts it out. He rallies the loyalty of subordinates and communicates his decisions intelligibly to others. Above all, he knows how to fit others (like his second in command) into his team, how to make them work together and how to get the best out of them. One of his greatest attributes is his capacity to delegate and to accept responsibility when things go wrong. This quality in statesmanship, these quintessence administrative skills is what makes him a special student in the school of democracy-his new found platform for service to Nigerians. Since April 25, 2002 when he joined partisan politics by registering with the All Nigeria People’s Party ANPP, the story of Nigerian political terrain has radically changed.
Indeed, there is a great deal of sense in Alfred Lord Tennyson’s statement which is applicable to General Buhari today: “I’m part of all that I have met and the mistakes or lessons of the past can be woven into the fabric of our personalities and used to clothe and equip us for the future”. Out of his knowledge and recorded experience General Buhari, through his political movement – The Buhari Organization, otherwise known as Project Nigeria, has introduced a new concept into Nigerian politics: service to the people. The organization is staffed by first class technocrats and academics who out of patriotism submit themselves against all odds to provide an alternative option which consequently will rescue the people of this country from imminent confusion which came about as the result of insensitive, unfocussed and visionless programme of the present administration.
Good education, military training, nature, character, experience and proven record are the foundations on which the exemplary leadership of this remarkable man is built. These are the qualities General Buhari is bringing into Nigerian politics. It is not given to many to rise as he has done from such honourable birth to become such a distinguished man of distinction and destiny. If we may borrow the words of Shakespeare: “There is indeed a divinity that shaped the life and times of General Muhammadu Buhari, rough hew them how we will”.
In recognition of his numerous and enviable contributions towards the development of this country, General Buhari has been conferred with a number of national awards. He is the recipient of the following:
GCFR Grand Commander of the Federal Republic
CFR Commander of the Federal Republic
DSM Defence Service Medal
NSM National Service Medal
GSM General Service Medal
LSGCM Loyal Service and Good Conduct Medal
FSS Force Service Staff
CD The Congo Medal
Never in the recent history of Nigeria, has a former Head of State, as noiseless, humble and as ready to serve as he has been endeared himself so much to the hearts of the masses. He is neither a defeatist nor a pessimist. He knows himself, he knows Nigerians and he knows how to overcome difficulties and make Nigeria a better place for all.
He is ready to take off his shoes even as a soldier, obey the call of a commoner and serve the poor. Nigerians’ most especially the masses are touched by the humility of this General who understands that the first and most important thing about leadership is to be sure that it is exercised in the right direction, according to the interest of the people.
This is indeed General Muhammadu Buhari, a man of intimidating personality and credentials, Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Minister of Petroleum; Military Governor of the them North Eastern State; an affable man of courage; an incorruptible Nigerian dedicated to sanitising the social and economic life of Nigeria; a soldier known for his gallantry and chivalry; an accomplished administrator, statesman, politician and above all a Good Man
Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd) distinguished Nigerian, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (GCFR), the Nigerian Armed Forces Services Star medallist, Doctor of Laws Honoris Causa, of the University of Calabar, Benue State University and Enugu State University, Doctor of Letters, University of Ilorin and Doctor of Science, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. He is an accomplished soldier, a level-headed Statesman, a trustworthy administrator. He has served as Military Governor of the then North-Eastern State, Federal Minister of Petroleum Resources, and Pioneer Chairman of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and as Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Nigeria has known many military leaders, but few have had his foresight; fewer indeed, have been as straightforward, as shrewd, as introspective, as peaceful and in the end as quiet, as placid and as respected as General (Dr) Muhammadu Buhari. Some people are born great; others have greatness thrust upon them. Some become great by dint of hard work, discipline, honesty, purposefulness and trust in God. Buhari achieved greatness by this route. General Buhari was born on December 17, 1942, in the town of Daura in the former Katsina province of the then Northern Nigeria.
He went to Primary School in Daura and Mai’adua from 1948 – 1952, before proceeding to Katsina middle School in 1953. He attended the Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College Katsina) from 1956 – 1961. On graduation from Secondary School in 1961, the young Buhari went to the Nigerian Military Training School, Kaduna in 1963.
In October of the same year, he was sent to the officers’ Cadet School in Aldershot in the United Kingdom and was thereafter commissioned Second Lieutenant in 1963 and posted to the 2nd Infantry Battalion, Abeokuta as Platoon Commander in 1963. A contemporary of his in Aldershot said he was like “an only pebble in the beach, a star in his calm and calculating disposition.”
It was at the Abeokuta Garrison that the real traits of a great soldier were identified in the young man. From 1963 – 1964 he was sent for further training on the Platoon Commanders’ Course at the Nigerian Military College, Kaduna. In 1965, he went for the Mechanical Transport Officers’ Course at the Army Mechanical Transport School in Borden, England. He went to the Defence Services’ Staff College, Wellington, India in 1973 and to the United States Army War College from June 1979 to June 1980. One of his testimonials from the War College referred to Buhari as “a gentleman, a soft-spoken soldier, who preserved the ethics of the profession almost as a Quarter-Master-General. He would touch the tip of his cap in greeting for a lady, would never enter a room with his beret on. Always careful with his language, would smile at every joke and would never do anything to rock the boat” these are some of the credentials of the charming officer and
gentleman called Muhammadu Buhari, an independent tribute made to him in far away United States of America more than two decades ago.
This thorough-bred soldier has held several impressive Command and Staff appointments since 1963, including the following:
Platoon Commander, 2nd Infantry Battalion, 1963 – 1964.
Mechanical Transport Officer, Lagos Garrison, 1964 – 1965.
Transport Company Commander, 2nd Infantry Brigade 1965 – 1966;
Battalion Adjutant / Commander, 2nd Infantry Brigade 1966 – 1967;
Brigade Major, 2nd Sector, 1st Infantry Division, April to July 1967;
Brigade Major, 3rd Infantry Brigade, August 1967 – October 1968;
Acting Commander, 4th Sector, 1st Division November 1968 – February 1970;
Commander, 31st Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, February 1970 – June 1971;
Assistant Adjutant-General, 1st Infantry Division Hqrs., July 1971 – Dec. 1972;
Colonel, General Staff, 3rd Infantry Div. Hqrs. Jan. 1974 – Sept. 1974.
Acting Director, Supply and Transport, Nigeria Army Corps of supply and Transport, September 1974 – July 1975;
Military Governor, North Eastern State of Nigeria, August 1975 – March 1976;
Federal Commissioner for Petroleum Resources, March 1976 to June 1978;
Chairman, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, June 1978 – July 1978;
Military Secretary, Army Headquarters July 1978 – June 1979;
Member Supreme Military Council, March 1976 – June 1979;
General Officer Commanding, 4th Infantry Division, Aug. 1980 – Jan. 1981;
General Officer Commanding, 2nd Mechanised Infantry Division, Jan. 1981 – October 1981;
General Officer Commanding 3rd Armed Division Nigerian Army, October 1981 – December 1983.
Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, December 1983 – August 1985.
Indeed General Buhari’s education, training and career have shown him to be an accomplished and exalted soldier who deserves commendation and special recognition, because he has proven to be a man of character, integrity and achievement.
A close study of his character shows a permeating integrity. It was during his tenure that the Nigerian National Oil Corporation and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources were reorganized to form the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and he became its first Chairman, a job he performed without blemish. He masterminded and spearheaded the construction of 20 oil depots throughout the country, a project involving over 3200 kilometers of pipelines. Under his leadership both Warri and Kaduna Refineries were built. He drew up the blueprint for the country’s petro-chemical and liquefied natural gas programmes all without even a hint of scandal.
When the masses of this country were about to riot over the increase in the price of fuel some few years back, the Government of the day calmed them down with the promise that the accrual from reduction subsidy was going to be put in an account and that General Buhari was to be appointed the people’s trustee to that Fund. The riots were averted. The people were happy that somebody they could trust, somebody with a clean record, a safe pair of hands somebody the nation revered and respected, was going to be in charge.
Today, Nigerians recall with nostalgia the probity, accountability and honesty and above all thorough and efficient management of public funds demonstrated by the leadership of General Buhari in all public institutions he worked. This is precisely what people want of their leaders whether military, political or traditional. They are suspicious of the very clever and mischievous; they dislike the overly ambitious; but if they know that a man is transparently honest in his personal and official dealings, they are more than ready to accept him. General Buhari is a man of proven integrity. Wherever you tap his life, there is a ring of truth about it.
It is always dangerous to see a thoroughly good person hijacked from the position for which he got professional training into a position of political leadership, because he could fail so tragically. But General Buhari, though a thoroughbred soldier is naturally equipped for governance and is temperamentally suited for leadership. As Head of State in the country, he did not crack under the pressure of office. He did not flap when things went wrong. He kept his head when others were panicking. He was prepared to be disliked, on the understanding that occasional unpopularity goes with the job of leadership. He faced many crises; personal, domestic and national, and came through all these unscathed.
He is a man of sound vision, judgement and who during his regime, tried to transform the society with his War Against Indiscipline (WAI) policy which won him national and universal applause. A minister in his cabinet once said, he was “an elegantly shrewd and intelligent leader.”
General Buhari is by nature industrious and not afraid of hard work. He finds his way to the heart of a problem and rapidly sorts it out. He rallies the loyalty of subordinates and communicates his decisions intelligibly to others. Above all, he knows how to fit others (like his second in command) into his team, how to make them work together and how to get the best out of them. One of his greatest attributes is his capacity to delegate and to accept responsibility when things go wrong. This quality in statesmanship, these quintessence administrative skills is what makes him a special student in the school of democracy-his new found platform for service to Nigerians. Since April 25, 2002 when he joined partisan politics by registering with the All Nigeria People’s Party ANPP, the story of Nigerian political terrain has radically changed.
Indeed, there is a great deal of sense in Alfred Lord Tennyson’s statement which is applicable to General Buhari today: “I’m part of all that I have met and the mistakes or lessons of the past can be woven into the fabric of our personalities and used to clothe and equip us for the future”. Out of his knowledge and recorded experience General Buhari, through his political movement – The Buhari Organization, otherwise known as Project Nigeria, has introduced a new concept into Nigerian politics: service to the people. The organization is staffed by first class technocrats and academics who out of patriotism submit themselves against all odds to provide an alternative option which consequently will rescue the people of this country from imminent confusion which came about as the result of insensitive, unfocussed and visionless programme of the present administration.
Good education, military training, nature, character, experience and proven record are the foundations on which the exemplary leadership of this remarkable man is built. These are the qualities General Buhari is bringing into Nigerian politics. It is not given to many to rise as he has done from such honourable birth to become such a distinguished man of distinction and destiny. If we may borrow the words of Shakespeare: “There is indeed a divinity that shaped the life and times of General Muhammadu Buhari, rough hew them how we will”.
In recognition of his numerous and enviable contributions towards the development of this country, General Buhari has been conferred with a number of national awards. He is the recipient of the following:
GCFR Grand Commander of the Federal Republic
CFR Commander of the Federal Republic
DSM Defence Service Medal
NSM National Service Medal
GSM General Service Medal
LSGCM Loyal Service and Good Conduct Medal
FSS Force Service Staff
CD The Congo Medal
Never in the recent history of Nigeria, has a former Head of State, as noiseless, humble and as ready to serve as he has been endeared himself so much to the hearts of the masses. He is neither a defeatist nor a pessimist. He knows himself, he knows Nigerians and he knows how to overcome difficulties and make Nigeria a better place for all.
He is ready to take off his shoes even as a soldier, obey the call of a commoner and serve the poor. Nigerians’ most especially the masses are touched by the humility of this General who understands that the first and most important thing about leadership is to be sure that it is exercised in the right direction, according to the interest of the people.
This is indeed General Muhammadu Buhari, a man of intimidating personality and credentials, Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Minister of Petroleum; Military Governor of the them North Eastern State; an affable man of courage; an incorruptible Nigerian dedicated to sanitising the social and economic life of Nigeria; a soldier known for his gallantry and chivalry; an accomplished administrator, statesman, politician and above all a Good Man
Nigerians were effectively waiting for their new leader to flag off widespread reforms, which was a crucial step towards fixing their damaged economy. For people with the dubious distinction of being one of the most corrupt nations in the world, they also needed to restore national pride.
Luckily, Nigeria's brand of politics produced a
democratically elected president through predominantly peaceful polls in March.
Considered to be a gentleman and excellent soldier,
Muhammadu Buhari once reigned over this complex and fast growing nation as
supreme military leader between December 1983 and April 1985. Booted out of
office by another soldier for being too autocratic - stern, frugal and
draconian - Nigerians now wanted him back for those same reasons they welcomed
his ejection 30 years ago, albeit with a democratic flavor. Historians will do
well to credit him with this ironic twist of national deja vu.
They will also record his evolution from perennial
presidential candidate to President as unique. Like him or not, he has emerged
as a national emblem of persistence. Prior to this year's elections, Buhari had
ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 2003, 2007 and 2011, ending his quest
on each occasion in protracted legal battles.
In a world where where perceptions become instant reality,
Nigeria's political trajectory to 2015 restored hope in Africa’s political
culture and set the tone for other elections across the continent. The emergence
of a winner with seemingly squeaky clean credentials – in a nation where graft
has become a culture – rekindled investor confidence in the Nigerian economy
and once again placed Africa’s most populous nation on the radar of the global
community – this time for a positive reason.
“Once uncertainty was removed over the fate of Nigeria, risk
levels dropped and all previous analysis has to be recalibrated,” Olufemi
Awoyemi, the CEO of Proshare, said days after the elections.
Buhari’s brief was obvious: fix the faltering economy,
restore peace and security, and revamp the social and political ethos of the
land. The man, however, doesn’t seem to be in a hurry. His unrushed style
confounded, and still confuses, friends and critics alike, and has left many
Nigerians wondering if perhaps the change they voted for was a mirage.
Battling corruption was always going to be Buhari’s forte.
He has overhauled the leadership of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation
(NNPC), and has been exhuming contractual anomalies and crude oil theft cases
identified during the previous administration.
Pleading for patience, his search for incorruption men and
women to fill cabinet roles took almost five months. He has secured the support
of the United States and other G7 nations. This renewed interest in Nigeria
will be useful when he goes after ill-gotten funds of indicted citizens and
ex-government officials stashed away in foreign banks. The man himself has no
foreign bank account.
The war against administration is however yet to rescue the
Chibok girls, abducted by Boko Haram in April 2014. The world also continues to
watch how he will fulfill another campaign promise to cut down the size of
government.
The economy meanwhile seems to lack a definite course. Without
ministers and without a clear modus operandi for implementing economic reforms,
financial markets and investors continue reforms, financial markets and
investors continue to stall, waiting for direction on key policy issues such as
trade and investment, currency and interest rate management.
The president’s 2016 fiscal plan might yet provide some
clues to his chosen path into the future.
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