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Buhari’s children speak on bond with their late father, his discipline, love for animals, others

Published

1 year ago

July 18, 2025

Late Former President, Muhammadu Buhari and his family

Buhari’s children speak on bond with their late father, his discipline, love for animals, others

As Nigeria continues to mourn the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, members of his family have spoken publicly, offering intimate reflections on his personal life, values, and the legacy he leaves behind.

In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, Buhari’s children and grandchildren shared stories that reveal the late leader’s character beyond politics — his humour, discipline, and unwavering commitment to integrity.

Buhari passed away on Sunday in a London clinic following a yet-to-be-disclosed protracted illness. He was brought back into the country on Tuesday and buried in Daura, his hometown. Nigerians from all walks of life thronged Daura to pay their respects.

His death has sparked a wave of reactions across Nigeria and beyond, with many reflecting on his presidency, his military past, and his personal journey as a father and grandfather.

‘He cautioned us not to use what doesn’t belong to us’

Hadiza Muhammadu Buhari, popularly known as Nana, one of his daughters, spoke about her father’s strict moral code and the lessons he instilled in his children from a young age. “I remember when we were little, there’s a time he gave me money to buy textbooks. After buying the books, I used the remaining change to buy sweets,” she recalled.

“When I returned and gave him the remaining balance, he said, ‘Nana, that’s improper. If you’re sent to buy something, return the change to the person who sent you. If they choose to give it to you, accept it. But never touch what doesn’t belong to you.’”

Nana described her father as a man of principle, patience, and quiet strength. “He used to call me Madam Nana. We would chat, joke, and laugh together. He didn’t like noise, and even when insulted, he never retaliated — he would just look at you.”

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She also said late Buhari had special attachment to all his children. I am deeply pained by his exit, just the way I was devastated when we lost our mother 20 years ago.

“We used to discuss a lot of issues whenever we are together…Sometimes, he used to tell me that whenever he looked at me, I reminded him of his mother.”

Nana added that Buhari’s love for his grandchildren was unwavering.

“He had special names for all of them. There is Mama and there is Babban Mutum. He also loved his relatives and he kept a bond with them.

“He was also in love with animals, including his cattle. He had turtles and peacocks,” she said.

She also shared a moment from his final days. “During his treatment, I went to London to check on him. When he got better, I told him I was returning to Nigeria. He asked, ‘Where are you going?’ I said, ‘Back to Nigeria,’ and he replied, ‘Then go and greet Nigerians for me.’”

‘We are grateful to those who forgave our father’

Aisha Hanan Buhari, one of his younger daughters, expressed deep sorrow over the loss. “Losing him feels like losing a part of me,” she said. “What I’ll miss most is his sense of humour. I looked at him as a part of myself.”

Hanan also addressed the public response to her father’s passing, particularly the expressions of forgiveness from Nigerians.

“We have nothing to say to them but to say thank you, Alhamdulillah,” she said. “He had good intentions for Nigerians. He belonged to everyone.”

She added that her father encouraged her to pursue education, prayer, and activities that brought joy and fulfilment. “He trained me to study, pray, and do things that make us happy,” she said.

‘He gifted me a turtle three times’

One of Buhari’s granddaughters, Sa’adatu Muhammad, also shared her memories, including a unique tradition her grandfather upheld. “Whenever a grandchild was born, he would send two turtles — a male and a female — for the child to raise,” she said.

Sa’adatu recalled receiving turtles from him on three separate occasions. “He gifted me some and they died. He gave me another set, and they also died. He gave me a third time but said he would not give me any more,” she added.

She also reflected on the public’s reaction to Buhari’s legacy. “This is a great gift — someone who has the right to be angry but chooses to forgive. There’s a video of him apologising after he left office, which went viral. People saw it.”

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Sa’adatu defended her grandfather’s reputation, saying, “Human beings are not infallible. Everyone has lapses. But no matter what you think of him, you can’t call Baba a thief, and you can’t call him a tyrant.”

Domestic staff share emotional memories

Suleiman Sani Kaita, a long time member of Muhammadu Buhari’s domestic staff who personally served the late president his meals and drinks, has shared heartfelt reflections on their final moments together.

“We had a good working relationship with him. He loved us, and we loved him dearly,” Kaita said. “We pray that Allah forgives him, admits him into Jannah, and gives us the strength to bear this irreparable loss.”

Kaita also revealed Buhari’s simple culinary preferences. “His favourite food was boiled potatoes and eggs. He was a regular tea person and doesn’t eat much — he preferred light meals.”

Aliyu Maiwada Masanawa, another member of Buhari’s domestic staff, recalled the warmth and affection the former president showed him over the years, “Since I met him, he treated me like his grandchild.

“He even gave me a pet name — ‘Malam Dogo’— and people used to fondly joke with me about it.”
He described his time with Buhari as filled with joy and fond memories, saying the late president’s humility and kindness left a lasting impression on those who worked closely with him.

Buhari’s children speak on bond with their late father, his discipline, love for animals, others

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Missing Robbery Suspect: Anambra CP Queries DPO, Orders Probe

Published

2 minutes ago

October 6, 2026

Trends Admin

Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama

Missing Robbery Suspect: Anambra CP Queries DPO, Orders Probe

The Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, has ordered queries for the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of 3-3 Police Station, Onitsha, and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) following allegations that an armed robbery suspect arrested and taken to the station could no longer be accounted for.

The commissioner also directed the immediate commencement of disciplinary proceedings against an Inspector of Police linked to the matter.

The action followed the circulation of a viral video alleging that the suspect, who had reportedly been arrested and brought to the police station, subsequently disappeared from custody.

Ama personally interviewed the complainant and officers connected to the incident before issuing the directives.

The commissioner described the allegation as serious, stressing that conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force would not be tolerated.

He said the command would take firm action against unprofessional conduct, dereliction of duty, abuse of office and violations of established police procedures.

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Following the interviews, Ama ordered the command’s X-Squad to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the suspect’s arrest, detention and documentation, as well as what happened after the suspect was taken into custody.

The investigation will also establish the roles played by the officers involved and determine whether any police personnel breached established procedures.

The commissioner further said operational measures had been put in place to facilitate the rearrest of the suspect, although the police have not publicly disclosed his current whereabouts.

Ama assured the public that the findings of the investigation would be communicated once the facts had been established.

He also warned against the circulation of unverified information that could prejudice the investigation, stressing the need for the matter to be handled based on established facts.

The commissioner reiterated his commitment to police accountability and professional conduct, saying officers entrusted with protecting members of the public must also be subject to scrutiny when allegations of misconduct arise.

The development has drawn attention to the procedures governing the arrest, detention and documentation of suspects in police custody, particularly the responsibility of officers to maintain accurate records and ensure that detainees remain properly accounted for.

For now, the exact circumstances surrounding the suspect’s alleged disappearance remain unclear. The ongoing X-Squad investigation is expected to determine how the suspect allegedly went missing and whether any police officer bears responsibility.

Missing Robbery Suspect: Anambra CP Queries DPO, Orders Probe

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Four NAF Engineers Died Days Before Foreign Course Deployment — Sources

Published

48 minutes ago

October 6, 2026

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Four NAF Engineers Died Days Before Foreign Course Deployment — Sources

Four Nigerian Air Force (NAF) engineers killed in the Ondo aircraft crash had reportedly travelled to Abuja for documentation ahead of specialised foreign training courses.

The personnel were identified as Master Warrant Officer Matini BA, Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI, Sergeant Izibenikien SI and Sergeant Alafuka C.

According to information surrounding the tragedy, the four engineers had travelled to Abuja as part of preparations for their deployment abroad for professional courses. Their deaths came just days before they were expected to begin the specialised training.

The four were among the 25 people on board the NAF 931 ATR-42 aircraft that crashed in the Igbokoda area of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State. The victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers.

The aircraft was reportedly on a routine mission when it crashed in the riverine area of Ondo State. Search-and-rescue operations were immediately launched, but the Nigerian Air Force later confirmed that there were no survivors.

The tragedy claimed the lives of several military personnel, including Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje, who was among the aircraft’s crew.

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Reports following the crash said Man-Ugwueje had recently been promoted and had married about two weeks before the tragedy.

Another victim, Flying Officer IM Adeshina, was also reportedly a relatively recent addition to the NAF and was said to have distinguished himself during his training.

The deaths have sent shockwaves through the Nigerian military, particularly because some of the personnel were reportedly preparing for further professional development when the tragedy occurred.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The Nigerian Air Force has also appealed to the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information while the investigation continues.

For the four engineers, what was expected to be the beginning of an important phase in their military careers ended in tragedy, with their planned foreign training cut short by the fatal aircraft crash.

Four NAF Engineers Died Days Before Foreign Course Deployment — Sources

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UCH CMD: After Decades Without Muslim, Agunbiade Demands Fair Chance

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2 hours ago

October 6, 2026

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Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade

UCH CMD: After Decades Without Muslim, Agunbiade Demands Fair Chance

‘Let Merit, Not Religion, Decide Next Appointment’

IBADAN — A Muslim stakeholder, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, has called for a transparent and merit-driven process in the appointment of the next Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, saying a qualified Muslim candidate should be given a fair chance to lead the institution.

Agunbiade, in a statement on Monday, argued that the leadership history of the premier teaching hospital showed that Muslims had not occupied the position of Chief Medical Director for decades.

He said the situation deserved serious consideration as the process for selecting a successor to the incumbent CMD, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, gets underway.

According to him, Otegbayo, who became CMD in 2019, was reappointed for a second term in 2023.

Agunbiade said the succession of UCH chief executives had included Prof. E. O. Akande (1978–1984), Prof. A. O. K. Johnson (1984–1985), Prof. B. O. Osuntokun (1986–1990), Prof. O. O. Ajayi (1990–1998), Prof. M. O. Olatawura (1998–2003), Prof. A. O. Ilesanmi (2003–2011), Prof. T. O. Alonge (2011–2019) and Otegbayo.

He stressed that his intervention was not intended to question the professional records or achievements of the past CMDs.

Rather, he said, the issue was whether a qualified Muslim professional should continue to be excluded from the highest executive position at the institution.

“How long should a qualified section of the institution’s community wait before it sees one of its own given a genuine opportunity to lead?”

Agunbiade said the question was particularly important because UCH was a federal teaching hospital with a national mandate, serving Nigerians irrespective of religion, ethnicity or background.

‘Not Asking For Religious Favour’

The stakeholder rejected the suggestion that his position amounted to a demand for religious preference.

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He said his argument was that merit and representation should work together, rather than treating them as opposing principles.

“The demand, therefore, is not that UCH should appoint a Muslim because he is Muslim,” he said.

“The demand is that if a Muslim candidate is professionally qualified, experienced, competent and suitable, his religion must not become an invisible barrier to his appointment.”

He noted that the advertised position carried stringent requirements, including medical registration, post-qualification experience, specialist fellowship, consultancy experience, integrity and administrative competence.

According to him, once a candidate meets the professional requirements and emerges as the best person through a credible selection process, religion should not disqualify the candidate.

‘Muslim CMD Will Serve All Nigerians’

Agunbiade also dismissed the notion that appointing a Muslim as CMD would change the character of UCH.

He said the successful candidate would remain the head of a federal institution responsible for providing healthcare to Nigerians of all faiths.

“A Muslim CMD will not turn UCH into a Muslim hospital. He will remain the Chief Medical Director of a federal institution serving every Nigerian who walks through its doors,” he said.

He argued that religious identity should not be an obstacle to professional service.

“Just as a Christian CMD can serve Muslim patients without difficulty, a Muslim CMD can serve Christian patients with the same professionalism,” he added.

‘Let Credentials Decide’

Agunbiade urged the authorities to ensure that all qualified candidates are subjected to the same standards during the selection process.

He called for candidates’ academic and professional credentials, experience, integrity, administrative competence and vision to be carefully assessed.

“Let every qualified candidate compete. Let credentials be examined. Let professional experience be assessed. Let integrity and vision determine the outcome,” he said.

He also referred to wider concerns about religious representation in the leadership of institutions linked to UCH and the University of Ibadan, saying the issue had generated concerns among Muslim stakeholders.

He, however, warned against turning the matter into a religious confrontation.

“This is not a call for religious confrontation. It is not an attack on Christians. It is not a rejection of merit. It is a call for inclusion within merit,” he said.

Agunbiade maintained that if a Muslim candidate emerged as the strongest candidate through a transparent and credible process, his faith should not count against him.

He said giving a qualified Muslim a genuine opportunity after decades without a Muslim CMD would send a powerful message about inclusion and equal opportunity in Nigeria’s public institutions.

According to him, UCH belongs to all Nigerians, and its leadership selection should reflect that principle.