*‘You’ve done Nigeria a favour’, commends ex-SA for writing book on him
By KEMI KASUMU
Major General Muhammadu Buhari (Rtd), who was President of Nigeria from May 29, 2015 until May 29, 2023, made an interesting visit to Abuja on Tuesday January 16 to attend launch of a new book titled, “Working with Buhari: Reflections of A Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023)” and written by Mr. Femi Adesina, his erstwhile media and publicity adviser.
Buhari, right, and Tinubu at Femi Adesina’s book launch in Abuja on Tuesday January 16, 2024.
Buhari, who said at the tail end of his departure from office eight months ago that he was going to be far away from Abuja, expressed delight that the book by his erstwhile spokesman has done the nation a favour by writing a book in his honour, in which foreward he had written that records of his administration are being put straight.
During the event also attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Head of State General Yakubu Gowon, and former Vice President Yemi Osimbajo (SAN), another book, titled “Muhammadu Buhari: The Nigerian Legacy (Volume 1-5)”, was also launched alongside the Adesina’s book.
The former president, in the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, said he felt delighted returning to Abuja, noting that the book launch was worthy of temporarily bringing him out of his resting in his native Daura back to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“It gives me great pleasure to be in Abuja, seat of the Federal Government, in my first official outing since handing over power on May 29, 2023.
“I am delighted to be in our Federal Capital Territory, a place that served as home to me between 2015 and 2023, when fate thrust it upon me to be the President of our beloved country.
“Let me thank the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for finding time to attend this launching. Our relationship have always been correct and cordial.
“Let me also take this opportunity to thank all those who took trouble, sometimes undertaking arduous journeys to visit me in Daura. I thank you all.
“The two publications launched today; Working with Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, 2015 – 2023, written by Femi Adesina, who served as my Media Adviser for eight years, and a volume of five books, Muhammadu Buhari: The Nigerian Legacy
(2015 – 2023), edited by Dr. Udu Yakubu, are worthy to temporarily bring me out of resting in my native Daura, back to the city.
“These books presented today once again exemplify the sanctity of records, and the role they play in documenting facts and figures, achievements and milestones, either in our personal lives, or in the life of
a nation.
“I told Adesina when he visited me in Daura with an advance copy of his book, he has done the nation a favour in writing it, as he has provided a one-stop shop on our stewardship to the country. The same has also been done by Dr. Udu Yakubu and his colleagues.
“Without documentation, revisionism wins. Human beings often have short memories, and unless events are recorded in cold print, some people would come and attempt to either distort, or even obliterate recent history.
“But the fact in our favour is that nothing was done under the veil of secrecy. We were as transparent and accountable as possible, being aware of the fact that posterity was the ultimate judge.
“We kept records of our stewardship, knowing that we would always be required to account for the trust entrusted to us.
“This event today is part of accounting for our two terms in office, and I thank those who have laboured day and night, to ensure that this history is recorded for now and the future.
“Government is a continuum. It is like a relay race. You run your course, and hand over the baton to the next person. This we have done, and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration has my support and confidence, in the quest for us to have a country of our dreams, where there is emancipation for our teeming population.
“With the cumulative achievements of government after government, I believe we will get there in no distant time.
“In our journey to the desired destination, there will be hard decisions taken, and the people would bear some costs. We can only seek their understanding, and state that there was no intention to deliberately inflict pain and anguish on anyone.
“This is why I apologized to such people at the end of our time in office. Sacrifices are still being made now, and will continue to be part of our national life and development. Governments will continually seek the understanding and support of the people they lead, for our ultimate good and goal.
“Let revisionists not rejoice that they have the ultimate say in the bid to distort history. Facts and records will ultimately prove them wrong.
“When some people engage in deliberate falsehood and distortion of facts that pertain to our tenure in office, I take solace in the fact that records are there, and will remain inviolable.
“My Special thanks goes to the Chairman of the occasion, General Yakubu Gowon, GCFR, for always being there for us. The General, Sir, I am most appreciative.
“Special thanks also goes to the co-Chairman of the Occasion, General I.B.M. Haruna, OFR, for his unflinching support and encouragement.
“My appreciation also goes to the book launcher, Alhaji Muhammed Indimi, OFR, for his continuous support.
“I am truly honoured and overwhelmed by those of you that have created time to be with us here today and I cannot thank you enough.
“I remain committed to our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the leadership of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I have abiding faith in the strength, unity and future of Nigeria.
“God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I thank you for listening,” Buhari prayed.
