Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

How Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari Was Laid to Rest in Daura

DAURA, Katsina State – Former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari was buried Tuesday in his northern hometown as thousands of people lined the streets to say goodbye.

The 82-year-old former military ruler and two-time democratic president was laid to rest with full military honours in the courtyard of his private residence in Daura, following Islamic funeral rites.

The solemn ceremony marked the end of an era for Nigeria’s most populous nation, as the country bid farewell to a leader who had governed the country twice – first as a military head of state from 1983 to 1985, and later as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.

The burial ceremony drew an impressive gathering of dignitaries, family members, traditional rulers, and political leaders from across Nigeria and beyond.

His remains were buried at his home in Daura, Katsina State in accordance with Islamic principles.

He was given a televised state funeral and state burial that was also attended by incumbent and former heads of state and government from Guinea-Bissau and Niger.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Kastina for the burial ceremony of late Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari.

The current president was accompanied by Vice President Kashim Shettima and other top government officials who received Buhari’s remains at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport before the body was transported to Daura under tight security.

The burial ceremony was marked by the pomp and circumstance befitting a former head of state.

Buhari’s body, draped in the green-white-green colours of the Nigerian flag, was wheeled to the graveside on a gurney by military pallbearers.

Soldiers stood at attention and rendered a final salute, while a military band solemnly played their trumpets, which was followed by gun salutes in tribute.

The graveside service included a colorful military honor and the presentation of the national flag to his family, accompanied by a 21-gun salute, a customary military honor for heads of state.

The ceremony took place shortly after Janazah (funeral) prayers were held at a nearby makeshift ground.

Emotional scenes unfolded as supporters gathered to bid farewell to the man they affectionately called “Baba.”

Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari was buried in the backyard of his home in Daura, a town in the northern Katsina state, as supporters climbed trees and shouted “Sai Baba” to bid farewell to the leader who had been particularly popular among the Talakawa – a Hausa term for the northern poor.

Buhari’s body had been repatriated from London, where he died on Sunday following a prolonged illness.

The former president had been receiving medical treatment in the UK capital, continuing a pattern of frequent medical trips abroad that had characterized the latter part of his presidency.

President Tinubu received Buhari’s body, accompanied by service chiefs and other top politicians.

A brief ceremony was conducted at the airport by the Nigerian military.

Hundreds of Nigerians had gathered since dawn to pay their last respects to the former president of Nigeria.

Buhari’s death and burial ceremony highlighted the complex legacy of a leader who had governed Nigeria during two distinct periods of its history.

Born in 1942, he first seized power in a military coup in 1983, establishing a regime known for its anti-corruption efforts and enforcement of public discipline, though it also drew criticism for press restrictions and the imprisonment of journalists.

After being overthrown in 1985 and briefly imprisoned, Buhari later re-entered politics, embracing democratic governance.

He made history in 2015 by becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat a sitting president in Nigeria’s democratic era, after three unsuccessful attempts.

This victory was widely seen as a major milestone in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

During his democratic tenure from 2015 to 2023, Buhari was re-elected in 2019 and earned a reputation as a cautious leader – earning the nickname “Baba Go Slow” for his deliberate approach to governance, including taking six months to appoint his first cabinet.

He was given a state burial in his home town of Daura in Katsina State on the 15th of July 2025.

The interment, which took place at approximately 5:50 PM local time, was conducted in accordance with Islamic tradition and honored Buhari’s personal wish to be buried at home rather than in a state cemetery.

The former president is survived by ten children from his two marriages, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to be debated and analyzed for years to come.

The ceremony concluded with military honors, prayers, and the quiet dignity that characterized much of Buhari’s public life, as Nigeria bid farewell to one of its most consequential leaders in the democratic era.

July 17, 2025
Inside The London Clinic: Where Nigeria’s Former President Buhari Spent His Final Days

Britain’s Premier Private Hospital Combines Medical Excellence with Five-Star Hospitality

The death of Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari at The London Clinic on July 13, 2025, has once again thrust this prestigious medical institution into the international spotlight.

At 82, the former military ruler and democratic president passed away at the facility that has become synonymous with discretion, luxury, and world-class healthcare.

Located at 20 Devonshire Place in London’s exclusive Marylebone district, The London Clinic stands as one of Britain’s largest private hospitals.

Since its establishment in 1932 by a group of Harley Street doctors, the institution has maintained its reputation as a sanctuary for the world’s most prominent figures seeking medical treatment away from public scrutiny.

What sets The London Clinic apart from conventional hospitals is its remarkable fusion of medical excellence and hospitality standards that rival London’s finest hotels.

Former patients consistently describe their experience as staying in a “five-star hotel” rather than a medical facility, a testament to the institution’s commitment to patient comfort and privacy.

The hospital’s attention to detail extends to every aspect of patient care.

Each patient is assigned a dedicated concierge who manages their daily schedules, appointments, and personal requirements.

This personalized service ensures that patients can focus entirely on their recovery while every practical need is anticipated and met.

The rooms themselves are a marvel of modern comfort and technology.

Patients can control their environment with sophisticated remote systems that adjust blinds and room temperature at the touch of a button.

Perhaps most enchanting is the ceiling feature that can transform any room into a starlit sanctuary, providing a calming atmosphere that promotes healing and relaxation.

One of the most distinctive features of The London Clinic is its culinary program.

The hospital employs an award-winning head chef who ensures that nutrition and gastronomy work hand in hand with medical treatment.

This approach recognizes that quality food is not just sustenance but an integral part of the healing process.

The chef works closely with medical teams to create menus that support specific treatment regimens while maintaining the high standards expected by discerning international patients.

This culinary excellence has become a hallmark of the institution, setting it apart from traditional hospital food services.

The London Clinic’s patient roster over the decades reads like a who’s who of international politics, entertainment, and royalty.

In 1947, then-Congressman John F. Kennedy was diagnosed with Addison’s disease at the clinic, years before he would occupy the White House. The diagnosis and treatment at The London Clinic would remain a closely guarded secret throughout his political career.

Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor underwent knee surgery at the facility in January 1963, during the height of her fame.

The clinic’s ability to provide both exceptional medical care and absolute discretion made it the natural choice for stars seeking treatment away from the paparazzi’s glare.

The facility’s reputation for handling politically sensitive cases was demonstrated in 1998 when former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet was arrested at the hospital while receiving treatment, highlighting the complex intersection of healthcare, diplomacy, and international law.

More recently, the British Royal Family has continued to place their trust in The London Clinic.

King Charles has undergone prostate treatment at the facility, while the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, had abdominal surgery there.

The hospital has also provided care for the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was hospitalized there in 2013.

Beyond its luxury accommodations and distinguished patient list, The London Clinic has built its reputation on medical excellence.

The hospital boasts specialists capable of treating 155 different medical conditions, making it one of the most comprehensive private healthcare facilities in the world.

The clinic’s cancer center represents the cutting edge of oncological care, offering chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and advanced treatments.

Patients benefit from revolutionary technologies including ‘CyberKnife’ radiotherapy for prostate cancer treatment, which delivers precise radiation doses while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

For diagnostic procedures, the hospital utilizes ‘SpyGlass’ technology, providing enhanced visualization during endoscopic procedures.

This innovation allows doctors to examine internal structures with unprecedented clarity, leading to more accurate diagnoses and targeted treatments.

The institution has also embraced immunotherapy with CAR-T treatments for cancer patients, representing some of the most advanced therapeutic approaches available.

This treatment modifies a patient’s own immune cells to fight cancer more effectively, offering hope for cases that might not respond to traditional therapies.

In 2019, The London Clinic opened a specialized center for robotic surgery, cementing its position at the forefront of surgical innovation.

This investment in cutting-edge technology allows surgeons to perform complex procedures with enhanced precision, often resulting in faster recovery times and better outcomes for patients.

The hospital’s surgical capabilities are housed in seven main operating theaters and three additional specialized theaters.

These facilities support the hospital’s six specialty wards, which focus on urology, gynecology, thoracic surgery, orthopedics, and spinal procedures.

This comprehensive surgical infrastructure allows The London Clinic to handle everything from routine procedures to the most complex operations, often serving as a referral center for cases that require specialized expertise or equipment not available elsewhere.

Despite its association with luxury and exclusivity, The London Clinic has maintained its status as a registered charity since 1935.

This charitable foundation means that any surplus income is reinvested back into the hospital, supporting continuous improvement in facilities, equipment, and patient care.

The charitable status also enables the hospital to accept donations that support medical research and the development of new treatments.

This unique structure allows The London Clinic to balance its commercial operations with its commitment to advancing medical knowledge and improving patient outcomes.

The death of Muhammadu Buhari at The London Clinic marks the end of an era for Nigeria, where he served both as a military ruler in the 1980s and as a democratically elected president from 2015 to 2023.

His choice to seek treatment at The London Clinic reflects the institution’s continued reputation as a destination for world leaders requiring the highest standards of medical care.

Buhari’s passing following a prolonged illness underscores the hospital’s role not just as a place of healing, but as a final refuge for those who have shaped history.

The discretion and dignity with which the hospital handles such sensitive cases continue to make it the preferred choice for those who value privacy alongside medical excellence.

As tributes pour in from around the world for the former Nigerian leader, The London Clinic remains a silent witness to history, continuing its mission to provide world-class healthcare in an environment that recognizes the human need for comfort, dignity, and hope in times of illness.

The institution’s blend of medical innovation, luxury accommodations, and unwavering discretion ensures that it will continue to serve as a beacon of excellence in private healthcare, where the convergence of medical science and hospitality creates an environment uniquely suited to healing and recovery.

July 15, 2025
Former Nigerian Leader Muhammadu Buhari Dies Aged 82

Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, who has died age 82 in a London clinic, was a former military ruler and self-styled converted democrat who returned to power through elections but struggled to convince Nigerians he could deliver on the change he promised.

Never a natural politician, he was seen as aloof and austere. But he retained a reputation for personal honesty – a rare feat for a politician in Nigeria.

After three failed attempts, Buhari achieved a historic victory in 2015, becoming the country’s first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent. In 2019, he was re-elected for another four-year term.

Buhari had always been popular among the poor of the north (known as the “talakawa” in the Hausa language) but for the 2015 campaign, he had the advantage of a united opposition grouping behind him.

Many of those who supported him thought his military background and disciplinarian credentials were what the country needed to get to grips with the Islamist insurgency in the north. Buhari also promised to tackle corruption and nepotism in government, and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.

But his time in office coincided with a slump in global oil prices and the country’s worst economic crisis in decades.

His administration also came under fire for its handling of insecurity. While campaigning he had promised to defeat the Islamist militant group Boko Haram. But the group remains a threat and one of its factions is now affiliated to the so-called Islamic State group.

There was also an upsurge in deadly clashes between farmers and ethnic Fulani herders in central Nigeria. Mr Buhari, a Fulani, was accused of not being tough enough on the herders or doing enough to stop the crisis.

The activities of so-called bandits in the north-western part of the country saw the abduction of hundreds of secondary school students.

Under his watch armed forces were accused of human rights abuses – like opening fire on anti-police brutality protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos in October 2020.

Who was Muhammadu Buhari?

Muhammadu Buhari was born in December 1942 in Daura in Katsina state in the far north of Nigeria, near the border with Niger. At the time, Nigeria was controlled by the British and it would be another 18 years before the country gained independence.

Buhari’s father, who died when he was four, was Fulani, while his mother, who brought him up, was Kanuri. In a 2012 interview, Buhari spoke of being his father’s 23rd child and his mother’s 13th. He said his only recollection of his father was of the two of them and one of his half-brothers being thrown from the back of a horse.

After three failed attempts, Buhari won victory at the polls in 2015

The young Buhari attended primary school in Daura and then boarding school in the city of Katsina. After leaving school, he was admitted to the Nigerian Military Training College, joining the Nigerian army shortly after independence.

Buhari undertook officer training in the UK from 1962-1963 and then began his steady climb up the ranks.

In later years, Buhari attributed his disciplinarian bent to spending his formative years at boarding school, where corporal punishment was the norm, and in the military. He was “lucky” to have experienced such tough environments, which taught him to work hard, he said.

In 1966, there was a military coup and then counter-coup in Nigeria – a time of upheaval for army officers but Buhari always maintained he was too junior to have played any significant role.

Less than 10 years later, under a military government, Buhari had risen to become military governor of the north-east, an area then comprising six states.

After less than a year, Buhari, now in his mid-30s, was promoted again, becoming federal commissioner for petroleum and natural resources (in effect oil minister) in 1976 under Olusegun Obasanjo in his first spell as Nigerian head of state.

Indiscipline and corruption

By 1978, Buhari, then a colonel, had returned to being a military commander. His tough stance in 1983 – when some Nigerian islands were annexed in Lake Chad by Chadian soldiers – is still remembered in the north-east, after he blockaded the area and drove off the invaders.

The end of 1983 saw another coup, against elected President Shehu Shagari, and Buhari, now a major-general, became the country’s military ruler. By his own account, he was not one of the plotters but was installed (and subsequently discarded) by those who held the real power and needed a figurehead.

Other accounts suggest he played a more active role in removing Shagari than he was willing to admit.

Buhari ruled for 20 months, a period remembered for a campaign against indiscipline and corruption, as well as for human rights abuses.

About 500 politicians, officials and businessmen were jailed as part of a campaign against waste and corruption.

Some saw this as the heavy-handed repression of military rule. Others remember it as a praiseworthy attempt to fight the endemic corruption that was holding back Nigeria’s development.

Buhari retained a rare reputation for honesty among Nigeria’s politicians, both military and civilian, largely because of this campaign.

As part of his “war against indiscipline”, he ordered Nigerians to form neat queues at bus stops, under the sharp eyes of whip-wielding soldiers. Civil servants who were late for work were publicly humiliated by being forced to do frog jumps.

Some of his measures might have been seen as merely eccentric. But others were genuinely repressive, such as a decree to restrict press freedom, under which journalists were jailed.

Buhari’s government also locked up Nigeria’s greatest musical hero, Fela Kuti – a thorn in the side of successive leaders – on trumped-up charges relating to currency exports.

Buhari’s attempts to re-balance the public finances by curbing imports led to many job losses and the closure of businesses.

As part of anti-corruption measures, he also ordered that the currency be replaced – the colour of the naira notes was changed – forcing all holders of old notes to exchange them at banks within a limited period.

Prices rose while living standards fell, and in August 1985 Buhari was ousted and imprisoned for 40 months. Army chief Gen Ibrahim Babangida took over.

Historic election victory

After his release and, he said, having seen the consequences of the break-up of the Soviet Union, Buhari decided to enter party politics, now convinced of the virtues of multiparty democracy and free and fair elections.

Despite this, Buhari always defended the 1983 coup, saying in 2005: “The military came in when it was absolutely necessary and the elected people had failed the country.”

He also rejected accusations that his measures against journalists and others had gone too far, insisting that he had been merely applying the laws that others had been breaking.

Buhari’s wife, Aisha, joined the criticism of her husband’s administration

He was elected president in 2015, becoming the first opposition candidate to defeat an incumbent since the return of multiparty democracy in 1999.

As president, Buhari made a virtue of his “incorruptibility”, declaring his relatively modest wealth and saying he had “spurned several past opportunities” to enrich himself.

He was plain spoken by nature, which sometimes played well for him in the media and sometimes badly.

Although few doubted his personal commitment to fighting corruption and there were several notable scalps, some questioned whether the structures enabling mismanagement had really been reformed.

And attempts to improve youth employment prospects were, at best, a work in progress.

‘Bag of rice’

On the day Buhari left office, some Nigerians were asked in a video that was widely shared on social media, what they would remember most about his time in office, and all respondents said the same thing: ‘Bag of rice’.

The reason was simple – rice is the staple food in the country.

A standard 50kg (110lb) bag of rice, which could help feed a household of between eight and 10 for about a month, cost just 7,500 naira ($5; £3) under President Goodluck Jonathan, who was defeated by Buhari in 2015, but went up to 60,000 naira a few years afterwards.

This led to hunger in many parts of the country.

The huge surge in the price of rice was because, in an echo of his earlier policy as a military ruler, Buhari banned the importation of rice to encourage more Nigerian farmers to grow the crop.

However, local producers were unable to meet the high demand and many of his supporters lost their faith in him.

Ismail Danyaro, a resident of the northern city of Kano, said he had backed Buhari since he first contested the presidency in 2003.

“I used to buy a 50kg bag of rice under Goodluck [Jonathan] but when Buhari came, I found it difficult to buy even a 25kg bag of rice because it became so expensive,” he told the BBC.

At one point, even Buhari’s wife threatened not to support his re-election bid.

Buhari never accepted that his measures as military ruler were repressive or over-zealous

‘Baba go slow’

Nigerians love nicknames and some of the country’s leaders’ nicknames have stuck even long after they left office.

For example, former military leader Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida is still called “Maradona” for what people perceived as his tactical dribbles on issues and situations.

For Buhari, it was “Baba [Father] go slow” after it took him six months to name his first cabinet on assuming office in 2015.

Responding to his nickname years later, Buhari said it wasn’t his fault that it took so long to get anything done.

“Yes, we are slow because the system is slow. It’s not Baba that is slow but it is the system so I am going by this system and I hope we will make it,” he said in 2018.

Nigerian politics in 2022-2023 remains one of the most interesting in the country’s democratic history.

In the minds of many, it was the first time that a sitting president wasn’t really bothered about who his successor was going to be.

Openly, Buhari declared he would support whoever won his party’s (All Progressives Congress) nomination but insiders say behind the scenes he was ambivalent.

Buhari’s body language emboldened all five candidates seeking the APC’s endorsement and their supporters all went around saying they had his backing.

At one point it felt as if Buhari opposed the candidacy of his eventual successor, Bola Tinubu.

What followed was the declaration of the “naira swap policy” which the Buhari administration announced would, among other things, limit the influence of money in the 2023 elections.

Many Nigerians believed that the policy was targeted at preventing Tinubu from becoming president even though he had been chosen as the APC candidate.

The policy involved the confiscation of trillions of old naira notes and their replacement with new notes for the highest denominations.

However, there were not enough new notes, leading to shortages and suffering by millions, particularly the less well-off, who rely on cash for their daily transactions.

The policy was only suspended after a Supreme Court ruling, just days before the election.

Tinubu won narrowly, with 37% of votes cast, as the opposition was divided.

Any assessment of Buhari’s presidency must take account his declining health, which caused him to take significant absences from work, especially during his first term.

The former military ruler may have reinvented himself as a democrat but there was no such commitment to transparency concerning his own health, with Nigerians left uninformed about the fitness of their head of state for office.

Muhammadu Buhari married twice, first to Safinatu Yusuf from 1971-1988, and then in 1989 to Aisha Halilu, who survives him. He had 10 children.

(BBC)

July 13, 2025