Citizens of Cross River State origin have paid glowing tribute to the late Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, describing him as a disciplinarian and a man of integrity.
One of such Nigerians to eulogise President Buhari is the Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba.
In a tribute titled “The End of An Age”, Ndoma-Egba stated that the demise of President Muhammadu Buhari has brought to a mortal close, the end of an age.
Senator Ndoma-Egba recalled, “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.”
According to the Leader of Nigeria’s 7th Senate, the late Buhari gave his best and all to Nigeria, noting “history will judge his legacy. He meant well for Nigeria and there was no doubt about his integrity.”
The former Senate Leader recalled the personal relationship with the deceased dating back to 1968, stating “the loss is personal. In 1968, 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 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 and when I asked him what he expected of me from that position, he simply said ‘go and develop your region and make friends.
“What people understated about him was his sense of humour and 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,” Ndoma-Egba stated.
In the same vein, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi has described the death of President Buhari as a monumental loss to his family, Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
Obi, who was elected first female vice chancellor of the University of Calabar in 2020, described him as a President, who was dedicated to Nigeria and served the nation wholeheartedly without fear or favour.
“He was a very disciplined President, who gave his best for this country. We know him for his discipline, integrity. We know that he was not a corrupt leader because of his stance against corrupt practices. During the course of his existence, he touched the lives of Nigerians.
“He also served this country first as a military leader, the then Head of State and years later, a civilian president. He did well both times as leader of this country. So, he was one elder statesman that meant well for this country.
“My heartfelt condolences go to his wife Aisha Buhari, his children and of course our President Bola Tinubu,” she said.
Meanwhile, at different offices across the city of Calabar, the capital of Cross River State in southern Nigeria, the Nigerian flag was flown at half mast in honour of the deceased.