TRIBUTE TO LATE PMB
BY
Major General BS Magashi ( Rtd) CFR
Former Minister of Defence ( 2019 – 2023)

With profound sadness I received the devastating and heartbreaking news of the death of my boss, the immediate past Commander-in-Chief ( C-in-C) of the Nigerian Armed Forces, (2015-2023), His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, under whom i had several opportunities to serve the country as a soldier and later as Minister of Defence and member of the Federal Executive Council, FEC from 2019 – 2023.

With nostalgia and an absolute sense of immeasurable loss I put it on record that my paths crossed with His Excellency the late President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR very intimately at different levels of the trajectory of our dear nation to warrant this glowing tributes and testimonials as a mark of my paying last respect to the colossus Senior Soldier especially in this difficult moments of National mourning.

My late mentor, late PMB lived a good and fulfilled life as a leader, a patriot and statesman whose pedigree as a principled yet compassionate, strict but simple, gallant, good-natured and God fearing disposition undoubtedly defined his strength, character, leadership style and personality.

In all my Allah destined paths that crossed with one of the greatest Nigerian leaders while on tour of duty to our beloved country as my boss, his irrevocable patriotic concern and passion were centered on making Nigeria great in a shared experiences as co- compatriots in search for a better, stronger and indivisible Nigeria to which late Present Buhari unapologetically and unregretably commited his impactful life till death came calling on 13th July 2025 at the UK Clinic.

Death has denied the nation the continuous impeccable service of the inspirational leadership of a pan- Nigerian of note and a quintessential Nigerian Leader of all times whose life was a testament and symbol of ” One Nation, One destiny in diversity”

Indeed the Nigerian state has lost one of her best leaders at a most critical time but we are consoled by his enduring legacy he bequeathed to a grieving nation with his indelible footprints on the sands of times as a tested and trusted Head of State and twice democratically elected president of Africa’s most populous black nation.

I found in him a rare breed of Nigerian brand whose entire journey of life was defined by uncommon incorruptible service to the country he fought to defend her sovereignty and helped to place on high pedestal of respectability as a formost Nigerian trusted globally with iconic integrity.

As a patriotic Nigerian who loved and served his country more than he loved and served himself with pedigree that resonates in immeasurable contributions to nation building the late president embodied discipline and dedication as a dogged fighter and champion of War against corruption in the public sector

No doubt his unblemished service and sacrifice in the annals of our dear nation will be etched in the hearts of well meaning Nigerians who values integrity, humanity, responsibility, probity and accountability over acquisitions of worldly materials in preference to earning God’s favour in the hereafter.

As President ,C-in-C and democrat par Excellence my boss demonstrated statesmanship and the finest and best disposition based on trust in handling state matters relating to my office as Minister of Defence under his watch.

He was passionate about making life much better for Nigerians and through Transformational Leadership’s Journey of eight years he accomplished a life changing pattern of administration that touched and elevated many lives from a position of underprivileged to privileged citizens, from uneducated to educated and from unemployed to gainfully employed Nigerians capable of contributing their quota to Nation building.

I recalled as Minister of Defence late President Buhari based on trust for me never allowed any encumbrance nor delay in the authorisation of Presidential approvals for actionable logistics support in advancing the course of combating insecurity in all theatres of Military campaigns at national and regional levels in a bid to getting rid of the Non- State actors threatening the peace of the nation.

The late president also demonstrated capacity in walking – the -talk in fleet recapitalisation drive for the Tri-Services, funded training for capacity building of the troops and entrenched a regime of equipment – driven joint Operational Environment which decimated the camps and corridors of the criminal elements and reduced their effrontery and audacity to near total defeat.

In all of these testimonial instances cited to buttress what the late towering war tested General Buhari meant to our dear nation in peace and war times I believe very strongly that his legacy will surely endure beyond this present generation and serve as inspiration to the future generations of Nigerian leaders.

As General Buhari’s remains are being committed to mother earth in a journey to meet with the Lord I pray to the Almighty to expand his grave and grant him a beautiful abode in Al-jannat Firdaus.

May I extend my profound condolences to the Chief mourners, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR,, the government and people of Katsina State, his home town Daura, Nigerians and more affectionately her Excellency Hajia Alisha Buhari as well as the immediate family the patriot left behind.

May Almighty God grant all his loved ones and the nation the emotional strength and fortitude to bear the magnitude of senses of loss foisted on the family, friends, colleagues, political associates, admirers and his subordinates as well as all Nigerians.

Signed –
Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi ( Rtd )
Former Minister of Defence ( 2019 – 2023)