President Bola Tinubu, on Sunday, announced the passing of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
Garba Shehu, former senior special assistant to Buhari, in his X handle, disclosed that the “family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London.”
Buhari died in London at about 4.30 pm, following a prolonged illness.
Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s spokesman, said the president had spoken with Aisha Buhari, the former president’s widow and offered his deep condolences.
He noted that President Tinubu had also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria.
Birth and Education
Buhari was born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State. Buhari wanted to become a medical doctor, but the only option at the time was to study Pharmacology at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology in Zaria. He was however advised by Mamman Daura, his nephew, to join the Nigerian military and pursue higher education there. This was how he began his military career and explains his closeness with the former newspaper editor while in power.
Military Career
Buhari joined the military in 1962 and underwent the officer cadet training between 1962 and 1963.
Buhari was Brigade Major/Commandant in 1970 and 1971 for the Thirty-first Infantry Brigade. He later served as the Assistant Adjutant-General, First Infantry Division Headquarters between 1971 and 1972. He was among officers who brought Murtala Muhammed to power in 1975.
He served as military governor of the old Borno and North Central State between 1975 and 1976.
He also served as the minister of Petroleum Resources under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who later became the military head of state.
In December 1983, Muhammadu Buhari toppled the administration of former President Shehu Shagari and served as military leader, with late Tunde Idiagbon as his chief of general staff.
The regime was known for its high handedness, with the introduction of the ‘War Against Indiscipline,’ price control system, amongst others. (Businessday)