Nasiru Haladu Danu, a prominent Nigerian businessman and close associate of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has described the late Nigerian leader as a “hero, a true patriot, and a phenomenon,” mourning his death as a personal and national tragedy.
In a heartfelt tribute issued on Sunday, Mr Danu said Mr Buhari’s passing was not only a loss to Nigeria but also a blow to Africa and the wider global community that respected his “principled stance, disciplined leadership, and unwavering integrity.”
“With a heavy heart and profound grief, I mourn the passing of a hero, a true patriot, a leader par excellence, and a phenomenon,” said Mr Danu, who holds the traditional titles of Sardauna Dutse and Tafida Babban Daura.
“President Buhari embodied the highest ideals of public service — austere yet compassionate, firm yet just, simple in manner but monumental in character.”
Mr Buhari, who died in a London hospital on Sunday after a prolonged illness, served as Nigeria’s military ruler between 1983 and 1985 before returning to power as a democratically elected president in 2015. He led Africa’s most populous country for eight years, leaving office in 2023.
Reflecting on the former president’s legacy, Mr Danu described him as a Pan-Africanist who “carried the hopes of the continent with dignity and lent his voice to causes that sought justice, peace, and sovereignty for African nations.”
He added that Mr Buhari stood tall on the global stage, often cited as a “reference point for leadership rooted in personal sacrifice, national interest, and moral clarity.”
“His demise leaves a vacuum not only in our hearts but in the conscience of our nation. He was a man who gave his life to Nigeria — in uniform and in civilian garb — with an unshakable resolve to see our country rise beyond the temptations of greed and mediocrity,” Mr Danu said.
The businessman, who was a staunch supporter of Mr Buhari during his presidency, also spoke of his personal loss, describing the late leader as a father figure, mentor, and a “living symbol of discipline and devotion.”
“Nigeria has lost a rare breed, an incorruptible servant, and an icon of nationhood. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and give us all — especially his beloved family — the strength to bear this monumental loss,” he said..
President Buhari’s tenure was marked by his anti-corruption stance, military campaign against insurgents in the northeast, and efforts to reposition Nigeria’s global image, though his administration also faced criticism over insecurity and economic hardship.
He is survived by his wife, Aisha Buhari, children, grandchildren, and a nation in mourning.
