Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has paid tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a rare leader whose greatest legacy was not the numerous public offices he occupied but his unwavering integrity, patriotism, humility and absolute trust in those who served under him.
Speaking in Abuja during an event commemorating the first anniversary of Buhari’s passing, the former minister said the late president distinguished himself by leading with honesty, compassion and confidence in his subordinates throughout his decades of public service.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Head of Strategic Communication in the Lai Mohammed Media Office, Nnamdi Atupulazi, the former minister reflected on his nearly eight years as spokesman for the Buhari administration, saying the late president consistently demonstrated uncommon confidence in him, even during sensitive national assignments.
Mohammed said, “President Buhari’s life was defined not merely by the many positions he occupied but by the values he represented. Beyond his impressive military and political credentials were the qualities that truly distinguished him: his unwavering patriotism, unquestionable integrity, disarming humility, honesty and, above all, his profound humanity.
“It was one of the greatest privileges of my life to have worked so closely with him. He trusted those who served him, cared deeply about their welfare and led by personal example. Those are qualities that will remain his enduring legacy.”
He described Buhari as one of the few Nigerians who traversed virtually every level of national leadership, beginning with his military career as a platoon commander and rising through several command positions to become General Officer Commanding before serving as military governor, Federal Commissioner, Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, member of the Supreme Military Council, military Head of State, Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund and eventually a two-term democratically elected president.
The former minister said Buhari’s confidence in his aides was demonstrated on several occasions, including the approval of a high-risk media tour of communities liberated from Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State shortly after assuming office in 2015.
