Tanimu Yakubu Pays Tribute to Buhari
…Recalls Deep Bond and Shared Vision
By Patience Ikpeme
Dr. Tanimu Yakubu, the Director General of the Budget Office of the Federation, has penned a deeply personal tribute in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, recalling their shared journey through Nigeria’s corridors of power and the enduring values that defined their relationship.
In a heartfelt reflection written in the quiet of Abuja, Dr. Yakubu described Buhari as more than a national leader — he was a father figure, mentor, and a man of profound principle whose legacy will resonate for generations.
“I sit in the solemn quiet of the capital, while the nation moves northward to Daura, Iwo Road, and finally to heaven,” he began, evoking a poignant image of a nation mourning a giant. “I am left behind, heartbroken, in the company of your smiling image and the sound of your voice.”
Yakubu served closely with Buhari during his tenure as Chief Economic Adviser and later as a trusted ally in policy formulation and national strategy. Their relationship, which spanned over two decades, was marked by mutual respect, ideological alignment, and a shared commitment to public service.
He recounted how the late President’s clarity of purpose and integrity influenced not just national policies but also the character of those around him. “You were a father to all of us who worked with you — firm, honest, and compassionate. We were all your children, some obedient, some stubborn. You carried us all,” he wrote.
Yakubu’s tribute delved into personal memories — from policy meetings to casual conversations — painting a portrait of Buhari as a leader deeply invested in Nigeria’s development and the wellbeing of its citizens. “You carried Nigeria on your back, held its hand and led it through storms, always with your eyes on justice and fairness,” he said.
The former Economic Adviser described Buhari as a man of quiet strength and unshakeable belief in the possibility of a better Nigeria. “Even when others doubted, you hoped. Even when betrayed, you forgave. Even when the world misunderstood you, you stayed your course,” he noted.
Dr. Yakubu expressed particular admiration for Buhari’s lifelong devotion to selfless service and his disdain for material excess. “You never sought power for its trappings. You sought it for purpose. And when you wielded it, you did so with restraint and conscience,” he wrote.
Reflecting on their time in public service, Yakubu described how the late President often inspired confidence in the most difficult of times. “When the numbers refused to add up, when the nation groaned under the weight of its contradictions, you steadied us with your calm and your conviction,” he stated.
He concluded the tribute by reaffirming his personal debt of gratitude and sense of loss. “Farewell, Baba. Rest well in the grace of your Lord. Nigeria remembers. I remember.”
Dr. Yakubu’s tribute adds to the wave of condolences and reflections pouring in from across Nigeria and the world, marking the passing of a statesman whose impact on the country remains both deeply personal and profoundly national.
