The Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr) David Umahi has recounted some of the fond memories of the life and times of the former President, Mohammad Buhari who died in London and was laid to rest in his home town, Daura, Katsina State on Tuesday.
The Minister made this remarks in a tribute to the late former President during the signing of a book of condolences at the Headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Works, Mabushi-Abuja, on Wednesday.
Umahi described the late former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, as a man of honour, discipline, and integrity who loved and served his nation with unwavering dedication, fairness and selflessness.
He recounted some of the fond memories of the life and times of the former President, whom he said was a man of humour, generous heart and deep sense of commitment to national unity.
The Minister added that the former President’s legacies as a Military Head of State and a democratically elected President of Nigeria have left lasting impressions on the landscape of the nation’s developmental history.
In an emotion laden tribute, he said, “I personally believed that such a man with so much discipline, integrity, honesty, and selfless service to humanity would live up to 100 years. The last time I spoke with him was during the salah before this last one. 
“While he was in office, I was always, as a governor, giving him Abakaliki rice, and he loved it so much. So, I had continued to do that. And so when I sent Abakaliki rice to him, he called me, was very happy, and he said I’m not missing Abakaliki rice even when I am out of the office.
“He helped Ebonyi State very highly. He supported us. I can’t forget, even when the enemies of progress wanted to thwart the emergence of my present Governor, he stepped in and called the national chairman of our party, and gave him an order that it has to be the present Governor.”
The Minister further recounted, “I remember how he came to Ebonyi State, and from 9 o’clock in the morning, he was commissioning projects till 10 p.m. While I was escorting him to his room, he said, Governor and I answered. You know how to punish somebody very, very well.
“And I said to him, you signed for it, sir. You know he is a very humorous person. I also remember when we built the airport, and then we named it after him, and then, before the exit of his office, he renamed it after the late Senator Chuba Okadigbo.
That’s how selfless the man was. I would almost say that I was the most beloved governor during his time. There’s nothing I sought from him that he didn’t give us. And collectively, as governors, he helped us so much. Is it the Paris Club fund, Is it the Anchor borrowers fund and other interventions.”
According to the statement released by his aide, the Minister noted that the death of the former President has left moments of grief and a great vacuum of indelible loss in the hearts of Nigerians. He conveyed his deepest condolences to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the family and associates of the ex-President, and indeed all Nigerians on this sad loss.
Umahi commended the President for the special accolades he accorded to his predecessor while alive even in death. “So, we miss him so badly, and the nation will miss him. And I thank very highly the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.
“Irrespective of what people darkening council without knowledge may say, the former President acknowledged during the celebration of the second year in office of President Tinubu, that the man helped him to actualise his destiny to be the President of Nigeria.”
The Minister prayed for God’s enduring fortitude on the hearts of all Nigerians at this moment of grief.
