A Commission of Inquiry, with such sensitive and serious task at hand, pays a visit to the toll-gate, and, as reported, at the spur of the moment, decides on a visit to the mortuary at the Military Hospital where bodies of the victims of the shooting were allegedly kept.  So, as a newspaper reports, the panel ‘storms’ the military hospital. That, with the media in tow. For transparency.

There was no thought on the part of members of Commission of Inquiry, for protocols that should apply to any Hospital, not to talk of a military facility, that you do not just ‘storm’ it, with. Stopped by soldiers at the gate, as to be expected, having neither being briefed of their coming, that incident said to have lasted only 30 minutes immediately takes on a life of its own, fuelling all sorts of wild allegations from those who have been waiting for something new to munch on.

Hours after the matter had been resolved, advocates on social media were still masticating on a dodgy headline, not bothering to read the story, yet running off with all sorts of conjectures and cynical remarks. Yet as they were going on and on, reports had come, hours before that the panel had indeed be let in, but had inspected the hospital.

If there was any doubt that some have minds already made up and that only one outcome will satisfy them, the bear hug they gave the dodgy headline and misrepresentation on social media of the incident, even when events had overtaken it is proof.

More disturbing was the report that even though the Commission had ‘stormed’ the hospital on the basis of what one of the members tagged ‘confidential information’, it turned out that the hospital does not even have a mortuary, not to talk of keeping bodies. Yet, this panel was working on the basis of some ‘confidential information’. No guessing where that confidential information that had been flying around social media came from!

So, a Commission of Inquiry, with such sensitive task at hand, treats its assignment with such levity that it leads itself into a situation of going to inspect a facility not in existence. Ask me, what were members going to achieve in that morgue? Were they armed with photographs of victims they were going to confirm their presence in the morgue? A member of that Commission said they had a Pathologist with them. He was going to get in there and start examining bodies? Is that how it is done?

It is important that the Commission of Inquiry unearths whatever might be hidden. But in doing so, a little sense of professionalism and sobriety would help.  It has to find strength to restrain some of its members who appear to be more inclined for the headline rather than substance to take things easy and embrace the sobriety that this assignment deserves.

If there was any doubt that some have minds already made up and that only one outcome will satisfy them, the bear hug they gave the dodgy headline and misrepresentation on social media of the incident, even when events had overtaken it is proof.  Some only want their positions validated, no matter the cost. Sad. If we still cannot see where the lack of restraint has led us and we will continue to play for ego, it sadly proves that we are unable to internalise lessons from our experiences to avoid making same mistakes all over again. That is sad.

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The figures were issued on Tuesday by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, on its Twitter handle.

Lagos came top on the list with 165 cases.

The tweets read:

“225 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria;

Lagos-165

FCT-17

Rivers-13

Ogun-12

Niger-8

Delta-4

Ondo-2

Anambra-1

Edo-1

Ekiti-1

Kaduna-1.

“60,655 confirmed

52,006 discharged

1,116 deaths.”

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Wearing a black mask and surrounded by Secret Service operatives, Trump walked out of the Walter Reed Military Medical Centre in Bethesda, Maryland, at 6:38 p.m. (11:38 p.m. Nigerian time).

Against expectations, the president did not answer questions from newsmen, who could be heard shouting questions at him.

He was driven in a motorcade to a helipad nearby from where the presidential helicopter, Marine One, flew him on a short trip back to the White House.

On arrival at the White House, he removed his mask, paused for a brief photo op during which he waved to the cameras before entering his official residence.

Shortly before leaving hospital, Trump tweeted that he was feeling much better and would be back on the campaign trail soon.

Four hours earlier, Trump had made a Twitter post in which he, again, downplayed the impact of the virus, and said he was feeling better than he did 20 years ago.

“I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good!

“Don’t be afraid of COVID. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs and knowledge.

“I feel better than I did 20 years ago!,” he said.

Briefing newsmen earlier in the day, the president’s physician, Sean Conley, expressed support for his move to the White House.

However, Conley was quick to point out that  Trump was “not necessarily out of the woods yet”, adding that he was on “uncharted territory” in terms of his treatment.

Trump’s discharge from hospital comes as more COVID-19 infections are reported among White House staff.

No fewer than 12 people close to the president – including White House Press a Secretary – Kayleigh McEnany, have tested positive for the virus.

Source: NAN

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“Although restrictions are being lifted, we are not out of the woods yet,” he warned.

Obasanjo gave the warning on Friday when he spoke as a guest lecturer at the 2020 Annual Sobo Sowemimo Lecture held at the Abeokuta Club in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

He spoke on “COVID-19 and Nigeria Security Issues: The Way Forward.”

Obasanjo stressed the need for the government to disabuse the minds of ordinary people who might still believe that COVID-19 was not real or that it was the disease of the rich.

His words: “They must be conscious of the fact that the disease has no social or economic limitation or barrier.

“It can afflict anybody no matter his or her age, gender, profession or trade, social or economic standing.

“We must not let down our guard because we may not have reached the peak yet.

“If the epicentre has moved from China in Asia to Europe to North America and now to Brazil in South America, Africa may or may not escape being an epicentre.

“And even then, we must be prepared for the possibility of a second wave.”

Obasanjo also considered the post COVID-19 period and suggested that attention should be given to key areas of food availability and security, employment and job security, change in the pattern and style of living including travelling and innovation, science, technology, digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

He added that issues of local content, raw materials and substitute as well as diversification of the economy and enhancement of export commodities should be considered important.

“It is up to us to take these six areas very seriously.

“With good leadership and right policy and with the public and private sectors working together and the civil society joining hands, all the six areas can be taken care of and we can safely put the pandemic behind and move the country forward,” he said.

Addressing the problem of Nigeria’s economic challenges, Obasanjo said:

“I see it as a matter of life and death for our country, which must not be toyed with.

“Insecurity brought about by widespread criminality of Boko Haram, insurgents, herdsmen/farmers conflict, terrorists, bandits, armed robbers, militants, kidnappers, abductors and human traffickers is a new phenomenon that is ravaging the entire country.

“The causes are many but the solution is beyond the capacity of the government.

“Prompt action is required from all well-meaning Nigerians from across the board as we are all victims and hostages.

“We must not adopt position of mindlessness ‘do nothing’ and allow a few to wreck our present and our future.

“Together, we can have Nigeria of our dream and I believe that there are Nigerians in all walks of life, from all ethnic groups, religious groups, cultural groups, political groups and across age and gender who will work genuinely and sincerely for emergence of a new Nigeria.

“I mean a new Nigeria based on principles of democracy, equity, justice, mutual respect, egalitarianism, good governance, federal character, and extol merit and competence.

“Papering over the obvious cracks in Nigeria’s polity is not the answer, tearing up or seeking disintegration is also not the solution, remaining silent makes us accomplices and irresponsibly so.

“The solution lies in men and women imbued with courage, nationalism, patriotism, commitment, foresight and love in critical mass to spearhead the crusade for new Nigeria.

“Let us launch and promote such a crusade on the slogan: ‘Security Matters To All; No security, No Nigeria.’

“The time is now. Delay is postponing the evil day.

“Failure to act now will lead to more frustration, greater despair and larger mentality and feeling that may lead to action of break- it- all- up.”

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According to the sponsor of the piece of legislation under consideration, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC – Ekiti Central), the bill proposes amendments to Sections 2,14,48,49 and 50 of the Principal Act to alter the Quorum of the Court, provide for criminal jurisdiction of the court, and right of appeal to aggrieved persons to appeal to the FCT High Court in the case of criminal matters.

Explaining the reason behind the introduction of the FCT Customary  Court Act, 2007 (Amendment) bill, Bamidele said, “Customary Courts in other parts of the country are now contributing immensely to criminal justice administration.”

Citing Lagos and Akwa-Ibom states as examples, the lawmaker explained further that “to bring the FCT Customary Court at par with the Customary Courts in other parts of the country, this bill prescribes the criminal jurisdiction of the court in Part II of the Schedule to the bill by specifying offences and punishments cognizable by the court.”

He added that, “the bill proposes to amend Part II of the Schedule to the Principal Act to specify categories of offences and terms of imprisonment or fines that can be imposed by the FCT Customary Court in exercise of its proposed criminal jurisdiction.”

Senator Bamidele said if passed into law, offences that attract maximum prison term of seven years or maximum fine of N500,000 or both, will now be tried by the FCT Customary Courts without prejudice to the jurisdiction of magistrate courts in the FCT.

“The passage of this bill will erase the pressure on magistrate courts in the FCT and it will also strengthen the right of accused persons to be arraigned in court within a reasonable time as recognized under section 35 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended,” Bamidele said.

Contributing to the debate, the Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Sabi Abdullahi (APC – Niger North), raised concerns as to whether the bill if passed into law would ensure fairness in the dispensation of justice.

“When you talk about customary court, it is a court that looks at issues that bother on the customs, traditions, norms and likes of the people within the context of their tradition.

“Most of the states of the federation have peculiar traditions, customs and the likes. But in the FCT, it is a collection of all Nigerians in one place, and so I’m wondering, if you saddle one person with the responsibility of adjudicating, will there be justice and fairness?” the lawmaker queried.

“The idea behind picking one or two people within the context of the customary court for example, is different from the regular court where you have very trained professionals,” Senator Abdullahi observed.

Other lawmakers such as Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP – Abia South), Philip Aduda (PDP – FCT), Yahaya Ibrahim Oloriegbe (APC – Kwara Central), Abbo Elisha Ishaku (APC – Adamawa North) objected to the idea of non-professionals adjudicating over customary court proceedings in criminal trials.

The lawmakers advised the sponsor of the bill to tweak the legislation in a way that provides for the inclusion of experienced legal professionals in the Quorum of Customary Courts, if it at all its jurisdiction must include the dispensation of criminal justice.

Senator James Manager (PDP – Delta South), while sharing the observation raised by lawmakers who spoke before him, appealed that the bill be allowed to scale second reading, so as to give opportunity for necessary input and corrections at the stage of public hearing.

Senator Teslim Folarin (APC – Oyo Central), however, kicked against the bill and called for it to be stepped down to allow for further legislative input.

The bill, which eventually scaled second reading after a voice vote put forward by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, was referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further work.

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The police had last week confirmed the kidnap of the councillors including Murtala Arzika of Gayari Ward, Lawal A.C. Milan of Ubandoma Ward and Sahabi Abubakar of Birnin Tudu Ward while on their way to Gusau from Gummi.

The CP, while parading some suspected criminals at the Police command headquarters in Gusau on Wednesday, told journalists that the case of the kidnapped councillors was still under investigation.

He said: “I initially did not want to talk about the kidnap of the councillors because the case is being investigated.

“We have discovered that the matter has political undertone because of the way the kidnap was executed.

“We discovered that one of the passengers in the vehicle they were travelling in, dropped half way on the trip while the victims were advised not to tell even their family members of where they were traveling to,” he explained.

On the whereabouts of one of the kidnapped councillors, who was said to have escaped from his abductors on the day they were kidnapped, Nagogo said, that issue too was part of the ongoing investigation since the escapee was also at large.

Also, while parading other suspects before journalists, the police boss said the command had discovered that people from the communities were then sending threat letters to their own communities and posing as bandits to demand for large sums of money.

He said: “Bello Sani and Auwal Hassan, were arrested for criminal conspiracy, intimidation and attempt to commit act of terrorism on February 8, this year when they pasted threat letters on houses in Gyalange Village demanding N3 million without which they said they will wipe out the whole village in which they live.

“They were tracked through the contact phone they used, and when they were arrested, they confessed to the crime and this act has now revealed that some of these criminally minded persons live within the community which is why we rely on and appreciate credible information that will lead to the arrest of such bad eggs,” he said.

Similarly, the commissioner displayed  the remains of an unknown bandit who was killed in a gun battle with the police on Tuesday, when his gang attempted to attack Maitagwaye Village in Tsafe local government.

He said the attack was, however, repelled by the police who recovered one AK 47 rifle and a round of live ammunition from the slain bandit.

Source: NAN

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This call was made by the State Fire Service Department while on sensitisation tour of markets on Tuesday.

The team which was led by the Oyo State Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Moshood Adewuyi, went round markets to sensitise market men and women and their leaderships on basic precautionary measures to put in place in order to avert incessant fire outbreaks.

Mr Adewuyi said, “We are here to sensitize them on the things to do to avert fire outbreak which includes having fire extinguishers of 6kg in their stores, removing every obstruction like displaying of wares on access roads within the market for easy access during emergency and availability of water in the market for immediate solution in case of emergency.

“Also, setting fire on refuse generated within the market should stop. And most importantly, the security men in the markets should have the contacts of the fire services so as to reach out in time, if there is a case of fire outbreak at night.”

He added that the borehole to be constructed in each market should be done according to the specifications of the fire service, such that fire trucks would not need to travel distant miles to refill their tanks when there is fire outbreak.

He added that roof extensions constructed along gang ways should be removed as such could aid the spread of fire during fire outbreaks.

“We are here to converse for the economic development of the state, we don’t want incessant fire outbreaks in our markets and we know that all these incessant fire outbreaks are as a result of our people’s negligence and carelessness.

“Our people should be careful in handling fire because any mishandling can lead to disaster, all electrical appliances should be put off before locking up for the day.”

Moshood further called for cooperation among the market operators and fire service department so that markets would be safe as well as to achieve a zero fire outbreak incident in Oyo State.

Alh Lukman Arowolo, chairman of Bola Ige International Market and Mr Abiola Alaka, the secretary general of Araromi Spare parts market, which were visited by the fire department all appreciated the good gestures of the state government at sensitizing them against fire outbreak.

They promised the cooperation of the market men and women through their leadership to further sensitize themselves and also take proactive steps against fire outbreaks by making necessary provisions for the safety measures required in the markets.

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A statement issued in Owerri by Mr. Chibuike Onyeukwu, the chief press secretary to the governor, stated that Ihedioha announced the re-christening at an occasion to mark Amaechi’s 90th birthday in Owerri.

Recall that the naming of the dual carriage way after the former South African president by former governor, Rochas Okorocha, attracted public opprobrium against the administration.

In a speech, Ihedioha described Mbazuluike Amaechi as an icon, whose contributions to nation building should not be ignored.

“Dr Amaechi is an icon, one of the founding fathers of the nation, whose contributions to nationhood should not be overlooked.

“Amaechi remains an inspiration, who stood and defended those principles that remain valuable to nation building,” the statement further read.

Amaechi, a native of Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra, was a member of the House of Representatives in 1959.

The nonagenarian was later appointed the Minister of Aviation and Transport in 1962.

According to the statement, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was stated to have prayed God to grant the Imo governor the strength to live up to the expectations of the people of Imo.

Obasanjo was quoted to have said that with Ihedioha’s wealth of experience as a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, he was well equipped to govern the state successfully.

“I believe that God, who made you governor of Imo this time, will give you the knowledge to do what needs to be done for Imo to make it one of the leading states in the country.

“While congratulating you on your electoral victory, I pray the Almighty God to enable you to govern well.

“Having eminently served as Deputy Speaker, you are eminently qualified to make Imo State one of the best states.

“You have to bring to bear your wealth of knowledge and extensive contact to the service of Imo and South-East,” the statement added.

The statement also quoted the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr John Nwodo, to have said that Ihedioha portended “hope and a new beginning for the Igbo nation” with his quality leadership.

“We have a governor who is humble, experienced and not afraid to appoint people with more academic accomplishments than him or those who have more exposure in governance than him,” it quoted Nwodo to have also said.

Source: NAN

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The governor stated that his administration remained determined to empower the people and deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor made the statement at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, while inaugurating the two bodies.

During the inauguration of the House of Assembly Service Commission headed by the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Abdulwasi Musah, the governor charged the commission to remain independent and to guide the House of Assembly on that path.

He said: “I will like to congratulate the members of the House of Assembly Service Commission on your appointment, which was based on merit. Honourable Abdulwasi Musah, you have been the Deputy Speaker before and I believe the experience you have gathered in such an exalted position will be utilised in this present assignment. And I also need to say that there is a clear distinction between politics and governance.

“Governance is looking after the wider interest of the entire state while politics deals with one’s political leaning but this is governance and we want you to have the wider interest of the state at heart in discharging your duties.

“I also need to add that there is a clear separation of powers between the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary. So, we don’t want a rubber-stamp legislature.

“We want you to assist us to achieve that objective where debates are very robust. Sometimes, I may even sign things that will come to the House of Assembly, which are not totally my idea because I and other executive members take decisions based on consensus. So, my personal preference does not fly sometimes when we hold exco meetings.”

Similarly, Governor Makinde, while inaugurating the Governorship Liaison Officers, said they were put in place as his eyes and ears across the state in order to assist him in the onerous task of empowering the people of the state.

He charged the liaison officers to ensure effective feedbacks to the government in order for it to be able to deliver on its promises to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots.

The governor said: “During the campaign, I promised the people that nobody will reap from where he has not sown and I won’t give what belongs to someone who has worked to another person who has not done anything. So, I am counting on you to assist me and this administration to come true on that promise. You will all be the unifier in your various federal constituencies.

“This is fulfilling for me because I now have eyes and ears in all the federal constituencies in Oyo State. The assignment for you is very simple and straight forward. We have to empower our people. Though we do have party machinery in all the federal constituencies but, sometimes, just like we experienced choosing interim officers for the local government, the party apparatus in most places is polarised. So, you are the people I am relying on to unify the party apparatus.

“It does not matter which faction you belong to or where you are all coming from. Before the 2019 election, late 2018 to be precise, all of us came from different places. We met some inside PDP and some came from the Labour Party. Some came from SDP too but we thank God that our journey from then till now has been fruitful. So, you must all have it at the back of your mind that your assignment is solely based on the empowerment of the good people of Oyo State.

“Also, while undertaking your duties, you must know that feedback to the government is essential. My appeal to you is, use this position to take dividends of democracy to the people at the grassroots.”

In their separate responses, the chairman of the House of Assembly Commission, Dr. Abdulwasi Musah and the chairman of the Liaison Officers, Chief Jacob Adetoro, both appreciated the governor for the confidence reposed in the members of their separate bodies, promising to discharge the responsibilities in the interest of the State.

Wasi said: “As a former Deputy Speaker and a Ph.D. holder in Law, I will put my experience as well as my academic achievement in bear towards working in line with what the governor said.

“We will ensure that the autonomy of the parliament is ensured in all that we do, even though that will not be translated into making the parliament to stand in friction with the Executive or the Judicial arm of Government. So, that is our mandate and we promise the people of Oyo State that we will live up to that promise.”

In the same vein, Adetoro gave the assurance that the liaison officers would justify the confidence reposed in them.

His words:  “We are grateful to the Governor of Oyo State for counting us worthy of these positions, and I want to pledge that we shall not disappoint you. We see ourselves now as the bridge that links the party to the government and we shall do our best to promote that course with fairness and all the rest of it.

“Since we have been given this assignment now, I know that every one of us will sit up and perform our responsibilities.”

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I boarded a commercial airliner heading to Lagos from Abuja. I was already seated, and strapping my seat belt, when a young man approached me. He must have been in his late 20s, or at most, early 30s. I shook hands, greeted him warmly, and he slipped something in my palm. He went back to his seat.

It was a piece of paper, and on it was written: “Please, tell Baba we are with him all the way.”

My eyes became misty. I knew who he was talking about. My principal and Baba of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, who turns 77 today.

“Please, tell Baba we are with him all the way.” What a message! What confidence! What love! And what reassurance.

At times, if you listen to the Babel of voices in the country, particularly on social media and some critical segment of the traditional media, you think everything is all wrong with the land. You think it’s all sorrow tears and blood, the regular trade mark of failed or failing countries.

The biblical prophet, Elijah, felt at a time that he was the only true prophet of God left in Israel. And he complained to God: they have all followed Baal, the strange god. I am the only one left with you.

But God gave him a tutorial: you only think so. I have for me in this land 7,000 other prophets, who have not bowed the knees to Baal.

That was what happened in that aircraft. The young man who slipped the note into my hand is like millions upon millions of quiet Nigerians, “who have not bowed the knees to Baal.” People who love President Muhammadu Buhari, who appreciate that he is here for such a time as this, and who believe that he is leading us to a new Nigeria, a land flowing with milk and honey. I believe. I am in the number of millions of people, who daily wish Buhari well, and pray that he will lead the land to fair havens, halcyon shores, before 2023.

If all the information you consume is from social media, and the critical segment of the traditional media, you will likely miss the correct pulse of the country. Let me share an experience here.

Some months before the 2019 general elections, I ran into Governor Nasir El-Rufai in the Presidential Villa, as he was going in to see the President. We greeted warmly, and I asked if he could please stop by in my office on the way out. He promised to do so.

What was my worry? The trend on social media, as to how the elections would go. I had a broader view of the reality, but I needed some reassurance. And I knew El-Rufai was analytical, and constantly had statistics at his fingertips. He’s not a first class quantity surveyor for nothing.

The governor turned up. I unfolded my worries, and asked for his opinion. He merely opened his laptop computer, and shared the result of a scientific research with me.

What did the research say? With large sample size from across the country, and painstaking state by state analysis, it stated that President Buhari was going to beat his closest opponent by millions of votes. And wait for this: the social media would account for just between nine and 11 percent of the votes. And wait again: that percentage would not go to one party alone. It would be shared between the two leading political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It turned quite prophetic.

The young man in the plane is among the millions of Nigerians who tilted the scale. They know that Nigeria is not where she should be, not yet, but it is not business as usual. There is one man who is laboring hard to turn the country right side up. He is Muhammadu Buhari, and the journey may be tedious, arduous and slow, but we are headed in the right direction.

Friends, Nigerians, countrymen. Yes, I have come to celebrate Muhammadu Buhari, as he turns 77 today. See the sycophant, the fanatic, some people would say. But do I mind them? I don’t. I have chosen my own hero, let them choose theirs. As we say in local parlance, ‘say your prayers, and let me say amen. No quarrel for church.’

I have said it before, and I say it again. I have followed Buhari since he was a military ruler, when I was an undergraduate, and if that regime had lasted for longer, Nigeria would not be in the doldrums that she found herself. It was a tough administration, but which was leading us on the right path. Till forces of reaction struck, and we were back to worse than square one.

You could imagine my joy when Buhari eventually emerged civilian President after 12 years of struggle. I didn’t think I was going to ever serve in government, but I found myself in it. Just because it was Buhari. More than four years down the line, have I changed my mind? No. Is it a perfect government? There’s none anywhere. But I still remain a Buharist, just like millions of other Nigerians.

I know many people who started with us in the Buhari camp, but who are now on the other side. Some were lured away by the garlic, cucumber, onions and leeks of Egypt, while some others jumped ship because of the color of the currency they saw. Some others, who expected quick fixes, are now singing the Lord’s song in a strange land. Some others are vacillating between many opinions. But for some of us, it is the immortal words of Sir Walter Scott: “Other people’s resolutions may fluctuate on the wild and changeful billows of human opinions. Our’s, now and forever, are anchored on the rock of ages.”

Why are we dyed-in-the-wool Buharists? Is he a perfect, infallible man? Show me who is. So, why do we remain resolute, irrespective of what people on the other side see as foibles and failings of the administration? Many reasons.

Buhari is not a thief. Can you say the same of many past leaders in this country? No, you can’t. I’m not saying they’ve all been light fingered, but we know those who served us honestly, and those who stole the living daylights out of the country. They and their confederates.

When I then see a honest man, the Mai Gaskiya, should I not follow him? Should I not trek from here to China for his sake? I would even trek further from Beijing to Yokohama. Larceny and plunder have been bane of our country. That was why we were consigned in gross backwardness and underdevelopment. Now that I see a man who has come to make a difference, I choose to stand by him all the way.

We know people who were worth only thousands when they got into leadership positions in this country. But they came out in obscene wealth. In other words, they went not to serve the country, but themselves. And here is Muhammadu Buhari, a man who wants nothing from Nigeria, but who has come to empty himself in the service of the country. And some people say we are fanatical supporters? Yes, for the sake of our country. For the future of our children. For the good of ordinary people, we are Buharists.

Simplicity. President Buhari is a Muslim, a good one, and I am a Christian, trying daily to be a good one. I see him at close quarters. At home, in the office, in the country, out of it. What a simple man. He holds power with simplicity. He eats simply. Wears the most modest things. No swashbuckling, no ostentation. And when we talk privately, I love when he indicates that he’s in a temporal position, which he wants to use for the good of the larger majority of Nigerians. That’s why I’m a Buharist, and no apologies.

Abhorrence of corruption. I said it before. President Buhari is not a thief, and he cannot vouch for you if you are tarred with the brush of corruption. You will simply be on your own. There is the jaded talk of the anti-corruption war in the land being selective. Well, those who say that are merely operating from a mindset. No matter who you are, however close you can be to him, when it comes to corruption, this President speaks up for no one. That is why the anti-corruption agencies are making conquests. He tele-guides them in no way.

An eye on history. That’s where the President keenly focuses. He wants to be positively remembered as a man who came, who saw, and made a difference. That’s why the country is one big construction site. Roads, rail, airports, power, water projects, and many others. Nigeria must get a new lease of life, and history must record it that the revolution started under one man: Muhammadu Buhari.

A kind man. Don’t mind the names you hear. Tyrant. Iron fist. Military ruler. Violator of rule of law. Major General (as if he’s not one). And many others. But you know what? This President is a kind man.

In 2015, some months into office, a proposal was thrown up at a meeting. The civil service was unwieldy, the economy was down, and salaries were being paid through the noses. It may well be time to cut the civil service strength by half, since most of them were even idle.

But the idea didn’t sell. The President said if he had his way, not a single civil servant would be sent home due to rationalization. Things were tough enough for them, not to add loss of jobs. And so it happened.

When labour unions came some years later to agitate for higher pay, the President first balked. He said it was not sustainable, which was the truth. But eventually, he buckled, due to a kind heart, and new wages are being paid at serious cost to government.

Let me say this, with the presumed permission of the President. He kept the Service Chiefs he inherited in 2015 for a couple of months. And when it was time to let them go, he sent for me one afternoon. He gave me the names of the new appointees, and told me not to announce till the next day.

“I have informed the outgoing Service Chiefs some minutes ago. But I don’t want their families to hear the news over radio or television. I want them to get home, and break the news themselves,” the President said.

I told him we would not be able to keep the news under wraps till the next day, that it should rather be announced immediately. He looked at me, laughed, and said: “You have not been sacked before. That’s why you are talking that way. Me, I’ve been sacked from office before, and I know how it feels.” We laughed.

When the chief executive of a major corporation was also going to be replaced, he gave me the new name, and said I should not announce for an hour or two, so that the outgoing man would have received his letter, and not hear it from the media.

Many acts of kindness have I seen the President show to many, and also to me, yet some people want to call him strange names. And I should believe it? I hear!

On this auspicious day, I celebrate our President. Cynics and scoffers would say why won’t you applaud him since you are part of the largesse of office. Yes, I hold office under the President, but I am yet to see the largesse. Maybe tomorrow. Or day after. And whether in government or out of it, count me among those who believe.

I am a Buharist. So are also millions of Nigerians. We thank God for bringing him our way. May his strength be renewed daily. He’s our miracle man, whom nobody could have predicted two years ago would still be with us today. We love him because he first loved us, and is serving us with all that is in him. Like that young man in the aircraft, “Please, tell Baba we are with him all the way.”

*Adesina is Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Buhari

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