Tinubu Pays Emotional Tribute to Buhari, Reveals Final Days in London

Tinubu Pays Emotional Tribute to Buhari, Reveals Final Days in London
Says He Ordered Special Care for Buhari During Final Illness
Buhari Family to Build Computer Science Complex With Book Proceeds

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to his predecessor, the late President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a symbol of integrity, discipline and patriotism whose legacy continues to shape Nigeria one year after his death, Eko Hot Blog reports.

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Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at Buhari’s first-year remembrance lecture in Abuja on Monday, Tinubu also revealed how he personally directed that the former President receive the best possible care during his final illness in London.

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The event also featured the Buhari family’s announcement that proceeds from the book From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari would be used to build a modern Computer Science Complex at Al-Qalam University, Katsina, in honour of the late leader’s commitment to education.

Departing from his prepared speech, Shettima recounted how Tinubu immediately instructed him to travel to London after learning that Buhari’s health had deteriorated.

Quoting a popular saying, the Vice President remarked, “When you are in power, your friends know you. When you are out of power, you know your friends.”

He said Tinubu called him while he was attending the Green Africa Initiative in Ethiopia and directed him to proceed to London without delay.

According to Shettima, the President told him: “I’ve just learned that President Muhammadu Buhari is ill in London. Please kindly proceed to London and find out what is happening, and ensure he lacks nothing.”

Shettima described the hospital visit as one of the most emotional moments of his public service, recalling that he declined doctors’ request to wake Buhari and instead met members of the former President’s family outside the intensive care unit.

He added that escorting Buhari’s remains back to Nigeria on behalf of President Tinubu remains one of the greatest honours of his life.

In his message, Tinubu said the remembrance was not only to mark Buhari’s passing but also to reflect on the values of honesty, discipline, simplicity and selfless service that defined his life.

Tinubu Pays Emotional Tribute to Buhari, Reveals Final Days in London

He described Buhari as a statesman whose legacy had become inseparable from Nigeria’s history, noting that the trust he enjoyed among ordinary Nigerians remained intact even after leaving office.

Reflecting on their political relationship, Tinubu described Buhari as a trusted ally with whom he shared a common vision of building a progressive and prosperous Nigeria.

He noted that Buhari was among the few Nigerians privileged to serve both as military Head of State and later as a democratically elected President, saying he discharged both responsibilities with dedication.

The President also extended condolences to Buhari’s widow, Aisha Buhari, and the entire family, urging Nigerians to continue upholding the values the late leader represented.

He observed that if the remembrance event had been opened to the general public, the venue would have been overwhelmed by the large number of Nigerians eager to honour the former President.

Speaking on behalf of the Buhari family, Safina Buhari thanked Nigerians for their continued prayers and support, describing the remembrance as a celebration of the values her father lived by.

She announced that proceeds from the book launched in December 2025 would fund the construction of a state-of-the-art Computer Science Complex at Al-Qalam University in Katsina State.

According to her, the project, whose foundation was laid on July 5, 2026, will include a 200-seat auditorium, two lecture theatres, three fully equipped computer laboratories, lecturers’ offices, departmental offices, a workshop, a common room and a students’ cafeteria.

Safina also commended former First Lady Aisha Buhari for ensuring that the late President’s final wishes were honoured and reaffirmed the family’s commitment to preserving Buhari’s legacy through educational and developmental initiatives.