Buhari, end of an age, says Ndoma-Egba, FUOYE Pro-Chancellor

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, has paid a glowing tribute to the immediate past President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, who died on Sunday in London at the age of 82.

In a statement containing his tribute which he personally signed, Ndoma-Egba, a former Senate Leader and ex-Board Chairman Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), described the late President Buhari as a great man of high integrity, resilient and principled leader, who transitioned from a distinguished military career to politics.

The legal luminary said the deceased Buhari meant well for Nigeria, maintaining that he served the country diligently and meritoriously as a soldier and politician with undiluted patriotism, zeal and steadfastness.

The FUOYE Pro-Chancellor’s statement captioned “President Muhammadu Buhari: The End of An Age” reads in full:

“The death of President Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s immediate past President brings to a mortal close, the end of an age.

“President Buhari’s life transcended many major seasons of Nigeria’s history.

“He joined the military at independence, fought in the Nigerian Civil War, defended Nigeria’s territorial integrity during the Presidency of Shehu Shagari, was Military Head of State and served twice as elected President having also served as Military Governor of the defunct North East State, Minister of Petroleum and Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).

“He gave his best and his all to Nigeria and history will judge his legacy.

“For me, the loss is personal. In 1967, he was among the first set of Officers of the Federal troops to enter my hometown, Ikom, when it was liberated during the Nigerian Civil War and I became one of the many children he adopted as his ‘small friends’ as he called us. Years later, when he visited the old Cross River State as the Military Head of State, I was fortuitously assigned to him as his personal chaperon as a 27-year-old Commissioner for Works and Transport. As President, he appointed me Chairman of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and when I asked him what he expected of me from that position, he simply said, ‘go and develop your region and make friends’.

“He meant well for Nigeria and there was no doubt about his integrity.

“What is understated about him is his sense of humour and his eternal gratitude to those who had been kind to him in his journey of life. In discussions he would mention names.

“He has gone the way of all mortals. His death reminds us all of the democracy of death and dying, the only democracy in which all of mankind, high or low, rich or poor, male or female, is an active participant and in which everyone has a mandatory opportunity.

“May he rest in peace!”