Buhari and revival of Nigeria’s image -By Nasir Sa’id Adhama

President Muhammadu Buhari

Over the years Nigeria has lost its integrity as a result of bad leadership, corrupt leaders and incompetence in the handling of the nation’s mantle of leadership. Good leaders serve as mentors to their subordinates as a result of which their footprints will be followed and the nation maintains its image in the eyes of the world. Such good and qualitative leaders are after the nation’s building and not to amass wealth.

The qualitative nationalists build Nigeria on the basis of nationalism not materialism, where the establishment of one Nigeria was at their heart as against their successors.

Corruption, indiscipline, injustice, nepotism and selfish interest of past leaders were the order of the day and among the reasons that led to the overall backwardness of the nation. The whole world placed Nigeria on the forefront list of most corrupt nations, until recently when Muhammadu Buhari emerged as its president. It is pertinent to note that the man Buhari lives a humble life, considering the vast opportunities he has had. With him, as former Petroleum minister, a governor, and former chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), he only has two houses in the whole nation. One in his home town, Daura, the other in Kaduna. All the qualities God has endowed Buhari with, defines him as a different leader or an exemplary leader with good leadership qualities.
Only recently, the United Kingdom invited him and told him their readiness to help him recover stolen Nigerian funds as well as help him fight terrorism. The same offer was made to Buhari from Holland, Spain, Germany, Iran and also from the United States of America.

It is no surprise now that Muhammadu Buhari has now restored and revived the Nigerian image within and particularly outside the world. Looking at the past administrations, the relationship between Nigeria and the US was so bad that America had to sanction Nigeria in respect of weapons deal and even stopped buying our crude oil. But since the coming of this administration, it was the US itself that invited Muhammadu Buhari, promising to help him fight corruption and also helping Nigeria to recover stolen funds. This should serve as lesson to our leaders to imbibe the virtues of honesty, humility and truthfulness.

With the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari as Nigeria’s president, the revival of the country’s image has been restored back to life. “Buhari is a man of integrity”– If US president could utter such words then there is no doubt, Buhari must be a man of integrity. Moreover, in ascertaining the full recovery of the country’s image, Obama said the US “can help in addressing some of the corruption issues that have held Nigeria back.”

In the same vein, the United States government sealed a deal with Nigeria to help recover all identified ill-gotten wealth belonging to it in countries where they have jurisdiction, including the US itself.

These strong ties wouldn’t have been actualised if not for the integrity of Muhammadu Buhari. No wonder, self-control, chastity, unconditional love, justice, fairness and humility are among the characters of Muhammadu Buhari which has made him excel among other Nigerian leaders.