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A Final Farewell in Daura: Stories, Tributes, and the Quiet Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari

As Daura prepares to lay to rest one of its most revered sons, reflections pour in from the dusty alleys of Katsina to the power corridors of London. Former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on Sunday in a London hospital at the age of 82, will be buried today at his residence in Daura—closing the chapter on a life defined by discipline, modesty, and an enduring service to Nigeria.

But beyond the headlines and state protocols, it’s the quiet voices of his kinsmen, domestic aides, neighbours, and lifelong friends that paint the most vivid portrait of the man behind the office.

The Man and His Creatures
Those closest to Buhari during his final years recall a man softened by nature and steadied by routine. At his Daura country home, Buhari lived modestly, surrounded by a small circle of trusted staff and an unlikely collection of companions: three pet tortoises aged between 28 and 30, a lively kiskadee bird that flew in regularly, and a small menagerie of camels, cows, bulls, and horses.

“He would sit quietly and talk to them,” said one domestic aide. “It brought him peace.”

His compassion wasn’t limited to animals. Staff recall countless acts of empathy—visiting a bereaved employee, attending family events, or simply sitting in quiet conversation. In these gestures, Buhari remained “a guardian, not just a boss,” one worker noted.

Unchanged by Power
Even in retirement, Buhari never distanced himself from the people who knew him before power. His staff describe him as approachable, emotionally present, and grounded.

“He was the same man we knew decades ago—disciplined, courteous, and humble,” said Ismaila Ibrahim, a neighbour who lived alongside Buhari for over 50 years. “He never allowed the presidency to change who he was.”

Others speak of his annual acts of generosity: distributing food, money, rams, and clothes during Eid celebrations, never missing a chance to uplift the less privileged in Daura.

A Life Honoured by Nation and World
Across Nigeria and beyond, dignitaries are paying tribute. Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan lauded Buhari’s unwavering integrity: “He became president because Nigerians believed in his honesty and discipline. He embodied service.”

Meanwhile, in London, former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Nana Akufo-Addo visited Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima to offer condolences. Shettima was in the UK on President Tinubu’s orders to accompany Buhari’s remains home.

Also among Buhari’s last visitors was General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Head of State and longtime ally. The two had shared a hospital until days before Buhari’s passing.

“I’ve known him since 1962. He was quiet but impossibly trustworthy,” Abdulsalami said in an emotional interview. “You could hand Buhari anything and know he would never betray you.”

A Leader’s Final Journey
In recognition of Buhari’s legacy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a seven-day period of national mourning, with flags flying at half-mast across Nigeria and in embassies abroad. The Federal Government has also announced today, Tuesday, July 15, as a public holiday for Nigerians to reflect on the life and legacy of the former president.

A high-powered inter-ministerial committee led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, is overseeing the funeral proceedings. The committee includes top government officials, service chiefs, and presidential aides.

Condolence registers have been opened across MDAs and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre for the public and diplomatic corps to pay their respects.

Legacy of a Quiet Reformer
Born December 17, 1942, Muhammadu Buhari’s story is etched into Nigeria’s modern political evolution. From leading the 1983 military coup to returning as a democratically elected president in 2015, he became the first opposition figure to unseat an incumbent at the polls—a landmark in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Despite criticism and political battles, Buhari's presidency was marked by bold, if controversial, campaigns: the War Against Indiscipline, the push against Boko Haram, and sweeping anti-corruption reforms. Yet, those who knew him personally remember him most for his inner calm and unshakable moral compass.

“He gave Nigeria structure when we had chaos, and simplicity when we had noise,” said Hajiya Bilkisu Isah, a Daura elder. “We will miss him not just as a president, but as one of us.”

Today, as Daura prepares to welcome its son home for the last time, the nation pauses not only to bury a president but to remember the man he was—reserved, reliable, and ever-committed to the Nigeria he believed in.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna