In his condolence message, Retired Maj.-Gen. I.B.M. Haruna, who had previously served as Federal Commissioner for Information and Culture, paid tribute to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, calling him a “great son of the soil and leader of immense integrity.”
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While making her remarks on Sunday in Abuja, Haruna praised Buhari as exceptional among those who had the honour of governing the nation.
“The people of Nigeria, their development, and the country’s peace and prosperity have suffered the loss of a great leader, a great son of the soil,” he remarked.
Although their paths never crossed while serving in the military, the retired general claimed that Buhari nonetheless did his part to ensure the country’s progress and stability.
Neither my life nor General Buhari’s ever crossed paths. He was a fellow soldier of Gen. Muhammad Shuwa’s, serving in 1 Division during the Civil War.
I had the chance to succeed Gen. Murtala Muhammad as commander of 2 Division in Onitsha when he was in 1 Division. We served together for many years, but we never sat in the same division under my command.
In the military, we did not have a tight and intimate relationship. I had already served until my retirement in 1977 as the Federal Commissioner for Information and Culture, when he first came to public attention.
His connections with Northerners as Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum allowed him to meet him, he explained.
According to Haruna, Buhari was requested to investigate the true situation in the South-West zone when certain crises were about to unfold. He praised the previous president for successfully bringing about social and political stability in the nation.
The former president was characterised by the retired general as an officer who stood out among other political and military leaders for his exceptional leadership, bravery, resolve, and honesty.
He drew a comparison between Buhari and a “Dongoyaro minji soldier”—a strong and dignified soldier who is upright, efficient, and trustworthy.
As she prayed for Buhari’s peace, Haruna asked future leaders to follow in his footsteps and be as dedicated as he was.