MY CONDOLENCE MESSAGE OVER THE DEATH OF FORMER PRESIDENT BIHARI
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2025 1:25 pm
To the Immediate Family of Late President Muhammadu Buhari,
The Federal Government of Nigeria,
The Government and Good People of Katsina State,
I have received with solemn sobriety and reflective hearts the news of the passing of General Muhammadu Buhari, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which occurred on Sunday, the 13th of July 2025, at the age of 82. In this moment of national bereavement, words may attempt to carry the weight of our sorrow, yet they often fall short of the silence grief demands.
General Buhari was, by no means, a stranger to the high demands of duty, nor a man adrift from the call of moral discipline. His life, regimented by the quiet firmness of military bearing and a minimalist approach to personal grandeur, spoke volumes of a character rooted in simplicity and self-restraint. Even as he held some of the most powerful and influential offices in Nigeria’s political history—Military Governor, Minister of Petroleum under General Obasanjo, Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, Head of State, and later a democratically elected President for two full terms—he remained strikingly indifferent to the trappings of wealth and luxury that often lure public servants from their moral compass.
Nigerians should remember that despite these juicy and enviable positions of authority, Buhari did not amass wealth. It is a testament to his austere integrity that, at the end of his life, he could only count two modest buildings in his personal estate. This is a rarity in our time and should not be overlooked when the measure of a man is taken.
Even more telling was his approach to power. When he served as Nigeria’s Military Head of State, he refused, unlike many others before and after him, to elevate himself beyond the rank of Major-General. In an era where self-promotion was often mistaken for strength, Buhari’s decision to maintain his existing rank was a silent yet powerful reflection of his humility and self-effacing leadership style. It revealed the man’s commitment to duty over decoration, and to service over status.
We are reminded that history is both judge and witness, and even the sternest seasons of leadership find their place in its evolving narrative. It is in this spirit that we call upon Nigerians, irrespective of persuasion, to embrace forgiveness concerning perceived shortcomings during his time in office—particularly as he, in an act of rare statesmanship, did not conceal his humanity but publicly sought pardon from the nation after his tenure. There is something profoundly telling in a leader who chooses contrition over denial, and such gestures should not go unnoticed in the ledger of remembrance.
As we mourn his passage, may we not forget the ideals he espoused—however imperfectly executed—and the firm stamp of discipline he endeavored to imprint upon our national conscience. While opinions may differ, let charity be the language of legacy.
In this regard, I call on political leaders, past and present, to see in the transition of General Muhammadu Buhari not merely the loss of a national figure, but the invitation to a moment of unity, humility, and sober reflection. Let this be an opportunity not to revisit divisions but to transcend them; not to deepen grievances, but to heal them. In death, as in life, may his name stir us to build a more just, disciplined, and united Nigeria—one that lives beyond political season and personal ambition.
Our prayers remain with his beloved family, the Government of the Federation, and the people of Katsina State. May the Almighty, who alone knows the full measure of every soul, grant him rest beyond the reach of mortal struggle.
His Grace,
Archbishop Dr. R. O. Adigbo, JP
19/07/25
https://www.facebook.com/groups/7351474 ... 7S9Ucbxw6v
The Federal Government of Nigeria,
The Government and Good People of Katsina State,
I have received with solemn sobriety and reflective hearts the news of the passing of General Muhammadu Buhari, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which occurred on Sunday, the 13th of July 2025, at the age of 82. In this moment of national bereavement, words may attempt to carry the weight of our sorrow, yet they often fall short of the silence grief demands.
General Buhari was, by no means, a stranger to the high demands of duty, nor a man adrift from the call of moral discipline. His life, regimented by the quiet firmness of military bearing and a minimalist approach to personal grandeur, spoke volumes of a character rooted in simplicity and self-restraint. Even as he held some of the most powerful and influential offices in Nigeria’s political history—Military Governor, Minister of Petroleum under General Obasanjo, Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, Head of State, and later a democratically elected President for two full terms—he remained strikingly indifferent to the trappings of wealth and luxury that often lure public servants from their moral compass.
Nigerians should remember that despite these juicy and enviable positions of authority, Buhari did not amass wealth. It is a testament to his austere integrity that, at the end of his life, he could only count two modest buildings in his personal estate. This is a rarity in our time and should not be overlooked when the measure of a man is taken.
Even more telling was his approach to power. When he served as Nigeria’s Military Head of State, he refused, unlike many others before and after him, to elevate himself beyond the rank of Major-General. In an era where self-promotion was often mistaken for strength, Buhari’s decision to maintain his existing rank was a silent yet powerful reflection of his humility and self-effacing leadership style. It revealed the man’s commitment to duty over decoration, and to service over status.
We are reminded that history is both judge and witness, and even the sternest seasons of leadership find their place in its evolving narrative. It is in this spirit that we call upon Nigerians, irrespective of persuasion, to embrace forgiveness concerning perceived shortcomings during his time in office—particularly as he, in an act of rare statesmanship, did not conceal his humanity but publicly sought pardon from the nation after his tenure. There is something profoundly telling in a leader who chooses contrition over denial, and such gestures should not go unnoticed in the ledger of remembrance.
As we mourn his passage, may we not forget the ideals he espoused—however imperfectly executed—and the firm stamp of discipline he endeavored to imprint upon our national conscience. While opinions may differ, let charity be the language of legacy.
In this regard, I call on political leaders, past and present, to see in the transition of General Muhammadu Buhari not merely the loss of a national figure, but the invitation to a moment of unity, humility, and sober reflection. Let this be an opportunity not to revisit divisions but to transcend them; not to deepen grievances, but to heal them. In death, as in life, may his name stir us to build a more just, disciplined, and united Nigeria—one that lives beyond political season and personal ambition.
Our prayers remain with his beloved family, the Government of the Federation, and the people of Katsina State. May the Almighty, who alone knows the full measure of every soul, grant him rest beyond the reach of mortal struggle.
His Grace,
Archbishop Dr. R. O. Adigbo, JP
19/07/25
https://www.facebook.com/groups/7351474 ... 7S9Ucbxw6v