17/07/2025
A Tribute And Lessons From General Buhari's Life and Death
What do we learn from the life of General Muhammadu Buhari? To me, the key is tenacity.
In his hit song, Love TKO, Teddy Pendergrass said:
"Takes a fool to lose twice and start all over again."
But General Buhari was no fool, even though he bucked that line. He lost the Presidential election in 2003, 2007, and 2011. In 2011, he wept bitterly, shocking many who never believed that the austere and Spartan leader could shed tears and even do so publicly.
He had made up his mind not to contest again, but his love for Nigeria propelled him to give it one last try, and that stick-to-itiveness eventually paid off.
While his time in office will undoubtedly generate mixed reviews, one thing is undisputed: On June 6, 2018, he declared June 12 the new Democracy Day in perpetuity. That alone, more than any other act before or since, brought healing to the nation and some closure to that ugly part of our national history.
What do we learn from the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari? We realise that not only power, but life itself, is transient. Therefore, never look down on anyone except to admire their shoes, or look up to men unless they are taller than you.
We are all equalised by the grave. General Buhari knew that, which is why he was down to Earth and related to the common man without putting on any airs. And because he was weighed down by pride, God ensured that he rose high.
Even if we can take anything with us when we leave, that thing is our character, not our money or property.
Therefore, the best use of life is to work on yourself. Move from self-awareness, to self-management, self-control and finally self-mastery. Do not be perturbed by what people say about you. What you know about yourself is more important. As long as you are better today than you were yesterday, God is happy with you, and you should be fulfilled.
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Cute Abiola