Today, December 17, President Buhari turns a year older. His Special
Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, wrote this piece, listing
the reasons people love and admire President Buhari. Read below "That's
him, that's him," the two old women, wrinkled and bent with age,
exclaimed. You could see wonderment and fulfillment in their eyes. And
as if on cue, they both began to cry.It was in Bauchi earlier this year.
President Muhammadu Buhari was visiting to commiserate with the people
on the ravages of windstorm, which had destroyed many homes and other
property. As he waved at the tumultuous crowd, the two women saw him,
perhaps for the first time in their lives. And so great was their
satisfaction, their pure joy, that they began to cry.That is the kind of
emotion that courses through millions and millions of Nigerians when
they behold their President, the honest man (mai gaskiya), the man of
integrity, man of accountability, one whose word you can take to the
bank. The man who loves them, and they love and trust in return.Don't
misunderstand me. Not all estimated 196 million Nigerians share this
sentiment. Not possible. There are those who are passionately opposed to
the President. They are a very vocal minority, who abhor his integrity,
hate his sense of accountability, and even want him dead. But we are
not talking about those who Fela Anikulapo-Kuti called "opposite
people." On this day of his 76th birthday, we are talking of the teeming
masses who love Buhari, and who can go to the ends of the earth for
him.Why do they love Buhari? Or better still, why do we love Buhari? The
old, the young, men, women, boy, girl, the strong, the infirm. Why do
we love the tall man from Daura? For many reasons.I have said it before,
and say it again. It will take a while before Nigeria will see another
political leader with such ability to pull an unsolicited and uninduced
crowd like Muhammadu Buhari. Anywhere he goes, he doesn't have to
procure the crowd. They turn out in their numbers to see and hear him.
They will trek from Africa to China, walk from Cape Town to Cairo, all
to see, hear and cheer the man they love.Why?Many reasons. He is an
honest man. My father, that stern educationist, who ran the home and the
schools he administered with an iron hand, used to tell us: "Honesty is
the best policy." That was true over 50 years ago when he drummed it
into our ears, and it is still true today. And will remain true
tomorrow, and forever. That is why we love Buhari. He is an honest man,
who will tell the truth to his own hurt.At a recent meeting with
governors, while discussing the seemingly knotty issue of minimum wage,
the President told them to level with him. He said he knew that general
elections were by the corner, "but I don't like to lie to anybody. I
will still like to tell Nigerians the truth, and nothing but the truth,
as to what we can truly afford to pay." Consultations are still
ongoing.Some people will give you fibs, just because they want to
hoodwink you, and get your votes. They will announce that they've
increased the salaries of fictitious workers, even when truly they are
owing many of their employees. But not President Buhari. Nothing for him
is a matter of life and death. Truth is the best thing in a man's
keeping. Make yourself an honest man, and there is one rascal less in
the world. That is why we love the man.Accountability. I will never
forget a promise Buhari made to the crowd at a campaign rally in Lagos
in 2011, when he ran with Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly.
Two honest men. "Every kobo that comes into the treasury will be used
for the good of Nigerians." That's the accountable man, who would not
dip his hands into the treasury for private gains, who will not line his
pocket at the expense of the people. That is why we love him.Just over a
week ago, I met a man who was an accountant at the Petroleum Trust Fund
(PTF), when the then Gen. Buhari was chairman. Executive Chairman, who
could do anything he wanted, since the place was awash with billions of
petrol money."I told him his salary would be N200,000 monthly," the man
recounted. "He said it was too much, since he still drew pension from
public coffers as a retired General and former head of state. I don't
know how he calculated it, but he said he would rather be paid N84,000
monthly. And that was what he earned."Yet some people say don't follow
this honest man. Till he has one tooth left in his mouth, and is bent
double over his walking stick, we will, no matter what they say. Honesty
is still the best policy. Today, tomorrow, and forever.See all the
positions he has held in this country. Governor of North-east, then made
up of what is now six states. Minister of Petroleum for over three
years. Head of State for 20 months. Chairman of PTF for many years. Yet
he remains a man of modest means. That is why we love him.In the early
days of this administration, when oil prices had crashed to as low as 39
dollars per barrel (from as high as 115 in preceding years, stabilizing
at over $100 for a long time, yet we had no savings, no reserves), it
was usually a spectacle to see the President and the then Finance
Minister, Kemi Adeosun, seated and apportioning funds for the week.
Depending on what was in the coffers, they prioritized spending, just
like traders with low capital base.Nigeria had been run into a hole. No
reserve for the rainy day, and we were being badly beaten by the rain.
Yet salaries must be paid as at when due. At least 27 states could not
meet their obligations, till President Buhari gave them a lifeline. And
then, one day, a counsel was given at a meeting: "This is the time to
ideally cut the strength of the federal civil service by at least half,
as we may not be able to carry the load for long." It made a lot of
fiscal sense. But to the President, it was nonsense. "If it lies within
my powers, I will ensure that no single person loses his or her job.
Yes, it may be the right thing to do, looking at the state of our
finances, but I won't do it," President Buhari said.And you say we
shouldn't love this President? We will love him till Africa and China
meet.A confederacy has arrayed itself against the honest man. A crooked
confederacy. Anybody that is anybody in the pantheon of questionable
character is there. Are Nigerians fools? After their eyes have been
opened, will they willfully afflict themselves with blindness again? Not
on their lives! The country will never go back to the slave market. Not
after we have known prudence, experienced accountability, and we are
are inching out of the morass in which we were soused and marooned.For
more than five decades, mere lip service was paid to diversification of
the economy. But we remained a mono-product country. Oil. So, whenever
the price of oil crashed in the international market, we simply crashed
with it. Now gradually, and inexorably, we are on the road to a
diversified economy. Wonders are being done in agriculture. Mining is
flexing muscles. Manufacturing is showing prospects. All in less than
four years.What of infrastructure? The sum of N2.7 trillion spent in two
years. The roads are roaring to life. The rail is snaking in. Power is
powering back. Wonders are being unfolded in different parts of the
country. And we shouldn't love this President? We will, no matter what
the naysayers say.Hear pensioners rejoice: This is the best
administration we've had since the advent of Contributory Pension Scheme
14 years ago.Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State spoke at a meeting of
governors with the President last Friday. He said since the creation of
the state, this was the first time pensioners were being paid, adding
that pension liabilities have been cleared by about 40%. Just because
there is a President that cares.Former Nigeria Airways workers. Railway
workers. Former Biafran policemen. And many others, have had their
pensions paid. And we shouldn't love the 'birthday man?' They should
tell it to the marines.When you have a heart for men, it is God himself
that keeps you alive. We have seen a practical demonstration in
President Buhari. From the brink of death early 2017, there is now an
unmistakable glow in him, evidence of good health from the inside. It is
God at work. No wonder wicked people came with the idiocy of Jubril of
Sudan. Otiose. Hollow. Products of addled minds. That was why we ignored
them, till the President himself responded to a question from Nigerians
in Poland two weeks ago.And you know what? Our love for this President
is at no cost. No charge. Whether we work for him, and for him, or we
don't, the real cost of our love is no charge.Do you know that classic
song, No Charge, made popular by Shirley Caesar and Sonia Spence? It
told the story of a small boy who decided to charge his mum for all that
he considered favours he had done her."For mowing the yard, five
dollarsAnd for making my own room this week, one dollarFor going to the
store, 50 centsAnd playing with little brother while you went shopping,
25 centsTaking out the trash, one dollarAnd for getting a good report
card, five dollarsFor raking the yard, two dollarsTotal owed, fourteen
seventy-five."The woman looked at her son, standing there expectantly.
Then she collected the paper from him, and wrote on it:"For the nine
months I carried you,Growing inside me, no chargeFor the nights I sat up
with youDoctored you, prayed for you, no chargeFor the time and tears,
and the cost through the years, no chargeWhen you add it all up, the
full cost of my love is no charge."For millions upon millions of
Nigerians who love this President, it is an unconditional love. The full
cost of our love is no charge. Happy birthday, Mr President..Adesina is
Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity76th birthday: ''It will take a while before Nigeria will see another political leader like Buhari'' Femi Adesina says
Today, December 17, President Buhari turns a year older. His Special
Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, wrote this piece, listing
the reasons people love and admire President Buhari. Read below "That's
him, that's him," the two old women, wrinkled and bent with age,
exclaimed. You could see wonderment and fulfillment in their eyes. And
as if on cue, they both began to cry.It was in Bauchi earlier this year.
President Muhammadu Buhari was visiting to commiserate with the people
on the ravages of windstorm, which had destroyed many homes and other
property. As he waved at the tumultuous crowd, the two women saw him,
perhaps for the first time in their lives. And so great was their
satisfaction, their pure joy, that they began to cry.That is the kind of
emotion that courses through millions and millions of Nigerians when
they behold their President, the honest man (mai gaskiya), the man of
integrity, man of accountability, one whose word you can take to the
bank. The man who loves them, and they love and trust in return.Don't
misunderstand me. Not all estimated 196 million Nigerians share this
sentiment. Not possible. There are those who are passionately opposed to
the President. They are a very vocal minority, who abhor his integrity,
hate his sense of accountability, and even want him dead. But we are
not talking about those who Fela Anikulapo-Kuti called "opposite
people." On this day of his 76th birthday, we are talking of the teeming
masses who love Buhari, and who can go to the ends of the earth for
him.Why do they love Buhari? Or better still, why do we love Buhari? The
old, the young, men, women, boy, girl, the strong, the infirm. Why do
we love the tall man from Daura? For many reasons.I have said it before,
and say it again. It will take a while before Nigeria will see another
political leader with such ability to pull an unsolicited and uninduced
crowd like Muhammadu Buhari. Anywhere he goes, he doesn't have to
procure the crowd. They turn out in their numbers to see and hear him.
They will trek from Africa to China, walk from Cape Town to Cairo, all
to see, hear and cheer the man they love.Why?Many reasons. He is an
honest man. My father, that stern educationist, who ran the home and the
schools he administered with an iron hand, used to tell us: "Honesty is
the best policy." That was true over 50 years ago when he drummed it
into our ears, and it is still true today. And will remain true
tomorrow, and forever. That is why we love Buhari. He is an honest man,
who will tell the truth to his own hurt.At a recent meeting with
governors, while discussing the seemingly knotty issue of minimum wage,
the President told them to level with him. He said he knew that general
elections were by the corner, "but I don't like to lie to anybody. I
will still like to tell Nigerians the truth, and nothing but the truth,
as to what we can truly afford to pay." Consultations are still
ongoing.Some people will give you fibs, just because they want to
hoodwink you, and get your votes. They will announce that they've
increased the salaries of fictitious workers, even when truly they are
owing many of their employees. But not President Buhari. Nothing for him
is a matter of life and death. Truth is the best thing in a man's
keeping. Make yourself an honest man, and there is one rascal less in
the world. That is why we love the man.Accountability. I will never
forget a promise Buhari made to the crowd at a campaign rally in Lagos
in 2011, when he ran with Pastor Tunde Bakare of Latter Rain Assembly.
Two honest men. "Every kobo that comes into the treasury will be used
for the good of Nigerians." That's the accountable man, who would not
dip his hands into the treasury for private gains, who will not line his
pocket at the expense of the people. That is why we love him.Just over a
week ago, I met a man who was an accountant at the Petroleum Trust Fund
(PTF), when the then Gen. Buhari was chairman. Executive Chairman, who
could do anything he wanted, since the place was awash with billions of
petrol money."I told him his salary would be N200,000 monthly," the man
recounted. "He said it was too much, since he still drew pension from
public coffers as a retired General and former head of state. I don't
know how he calculated it, but he said he would rather be paid N84,000
monthly. And that was what he earned."Yet some people say don't follow
this honest man. Till he has one tooth left in his mouth, and is bent
double over his walking stick, we will, no matter what they say. Honesty
is still the best policy. Today, tomorrow, and forever.See all the
positions he has held in this country. Governor of North-east, then made
up of what is now six states. Minister of Petroleum for over three
years. Head of State for 20 months. Chairman of PTF for many years. Yet
he remains a man of modest means. That is why we love him.In the early
days of this administration, when oil prices had crashed to as low as 39
dollars per barrel (from as high as 115 in preceding years, stabilizing
at over $100 for a long time, yet we had no savings, no reserves), it
was usually a spectacle to see the President and the then Finance
Minister, Kemi Adeosun, seated and apportioning funds for the week.
Depending on what was in the coffers, they prioritized spending, just
like traders with low capital base.Nigeria had been run into a hole. No
reserve for the rainy day, and we were being badly beaten by the rain.
Yet salaries must be paid as at when due. At least 27 states could not
meet their obligations, till President Buhari gave them a lifeline. And
then, one day, a counsel was given at a meeting: "This is the time to
ideally cut the strength of the federal civil service by at least half,
as we may not be able to carry the load for long." It made a lot of
fiscal sense. But to the President, it was nonsense. "If it lies within
my powers, I will ensure that no single person loses his or her job.
Yes, it may be the right thing to do, looking at the state of our
finances, but I won't do it," President Buhari said.And you say we
shouldn't love this President? We will love him till Africa and China
meet.A confederacy has arrayed itself against the honest man. A crooked
confederacy. Anybody that is anybody in the pantheon of questionable
character is there. Are Nigerians fools? After their eyes have been
opened, will they willfully afflict themselves with blindness again? Not
on their lives! The country will never go back to the slave market. Not
after we have known prudence, experienced accountability, and we are
are inching out of the morass in which we were soused and marooned.For
more than five decades, mere lip service was paid to diversification of
the economy. But we remained a mono-product country. Oil. So, whenever
the price of oil crashed in the international market, we simply crashed
with it. Now gradually, and inexorably, we are on the road to a
diversified economy. Wonders are being done in agriculture. Mining is
flexing muscles. Manufacturing is showing prospects. All in less than
four years.What of infrastructure? The sum of N2.7 trillion spent in two
years. The roads are roaring to life. The rail is snaking in. Power is
powering back. Wonders are being unfolded in different parts of the
country. And we shouldn't love this President? We will, no matter what
the naysayers say.Hear pensioners rejoice: This is the best
administration we've had since the advent of Contributory Pension Scheme
14 years ago.Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State spoke at a meeting of
governors with the President last Friday. He said since the creation of
the state, this was the first time pensioners were being paid, adding
that pension liabilities have been cleared by about 40%. Just because
there is a President that cares.Former Nigeria Airways workers. Railway
workers. Former Biafran policemen. And many others, have had their
pensions paid. And we shouldn't love the 'birthday man?' They should
tell it to the marines.When you have a heart for men, it is God himself
that keeps you alive. We have seen a practical demonstration in
President Buhari. From the brink of death early 2017, there is now an
unmistakable glow in him, evidence of good health from the inside. It is
God at work. No wonder wicked people came with the idiocy of Jubril of
Sudan. Otiose. Hollow. Products of addled minds. That was why we ignored
them, till the President himself responded to a question from Nigerians
in Poland two weeks ago.And you know what? Our love for this President
is at no cost. No charge. Whether we work for him, and for him, or we
don't, the real cost of our love is no charge.Do you know that classic
song, No Charge, made popular by Shirley Caesar and Sonia Spence? It
told the story of a small boy who decided to charge his mum for all that
he considered favours he had done her."For mowing the yard, five
dollarsAnd for making my own room this week, one dollarFor going to the
store, 50 centsAnd playing with little brother while you went shopping,
25 centsTaking out the trash, one dollarAnd for getting a good report
card, five dollarsFor raking the yard, two dollarsTotal owed, fourteen
seventy-five."The woman looked at her son, standing there expectantly.
Then she collected the paper from him, and wrote on it:"For the nine
months I carried you,Growing inside me, no chargeFor the nights I sat up
with youDoctored you, prayed for you, no chargeFor the time and tears,
and the cost through the years, no chargeWhen you add it all up, the
full cost of my love is no charge."For millions upon millions of
Nigerians who love this President, it is an unconditional love. The full
cost of our love is no charge. Happy birthday, Mr President..Adesina is
Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity
