– Awujale Adetona for burial too
July 14, (THEWILL) — President Bola Tinubu on Sunday announced an emergency session of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, for Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died in a London, UK hospital after a brief illness.
The corpse of the former President would be flown into the country on Monday and buried in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State on the same day.
Also, the Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, His Royal Majesty, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, died on Sunday, aged 91.
Details of the circumstances surrounding his death are sketchy. However, reliable sources close to the Awujale’s Palace in Ijebu-Ode confirmed the monarch’s death on Sunday.
Born May 10, 1934, Oba Adetona ascended the throne in 1960, He was the son of Prince Rufai Adetona and Alhaja Ajibabi Adetona (née Onashile) and represented the Anikinaiya ruling family.
Buhari, served as Nigeria’s military Head of State between 1983 and 1985 and as a civilian president between 2015 and 2023 on the platform of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC.
In a tribute, which he personally signed on Sunday evening, President Tinubu stated that his predecessor in office would be accorded full state honour, directing the country’s flag to be flown at half-mast for seven days across the country.
“As a mark of respect to our former leader, I have directed that all national flags fly at half-mast across the country for seven days from today,” Tinubu said in his tribute, adding, “I have also summoned an emergency Federal Executive Council session on Tuesday, dedicated to his honour. President Buhari was to the very core, a patriot, a soldier, a statesman. His legacy of service and sacrifice endures. He served Nigeria with unwavering dedication, first as a military leader from January 1984 to August 1985, and later as a democratically elected President from 2015 to 2023. Duty, honour, and a deep commitment to the unity and progress of our nation defined his life.”
The President extolled what he described as Buhari’s efforts in confronting corruption and instilling discipline in public service. “He confronted corruption head-on and placed the country above personal interest at every turn,” Tinubu said.
He condoled with the people and traditional leadership of Daura, the late leader’s hometown in Katsina State and the late President’s wife, Aisha, with whom he has been in constant touch, his children, the entire Buhari family, and all who knew and loved him.
“I also extend my condolences to the government and people of Katsina State, most especially the people and traditional leaders of Daura Emirate,” he stated.
Tinubu gave the assurance to Nigerians that the Federal Government would organise a funeral that reflects Buhari’s “towering contributions to our country.”
In another personally signed tribute on the Awujale, President Tinubu said, “Oba Adetona was a towering natural ruler who served his people with dignity, panache, class and an unmistakable sense of duty.
“In his over six decades on the throne, ascending at 26, Oba Adetona used his role as a foremost ruler to advance the cause of progress and national unity. In a time of national crisis and uncertainty, he stood firmly as a voice of reason.
“I enjoyed an excellent personal relationship with Kabiyesi. I will forever cherish our time together.
“He was an honest arbiter, confidante and reliable leader without any guile. I found his company comforting, wisdom enriching and candour empowering.”
Buhari’s Life and Times:
Early Years in Daura.
Ex-President Muhammadu was born on December 17, 1942, in Daura, Katsina State and raised by his mother following the death of his father.
Military Career and Rise to Power
After completing his secondary education at Katsina Middle School, later renamed Katsina Provincial Secondary School, in 1961 Buhari joined the Nigerian Army in 1962, undergoing training both locally and internationally. He rose through the ranks to become a Major-General, after serving as military governor of the North Eastern State, now Borno State. In 1983, he became Head of State in the aftermath of the coup that toppled the civilian government of late President Shehu Shagari.
Military Rule
Buhari’s military administration is famously remembered for its harsh and austere policies, particularly the “War Against Indiscipline”, a tough anti-corruption drive symbolised by the imprisonment of many second republic politicians allegedly for corruption, jailing of journalists accused of wild reportage and economic austerity measures, all of which drew public criticisms that led to the overthrow of his government in 1985 and detention for three years by General Ibrahim Babangida
Political Journey and Government
Buhari joined politics in 1999, following the country’s return to civil rule after 29 years under military rule. He contested three times and lost presidential elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011 and eventually became president in 2015, scoring a first as an opposition leader to defeat an incumbent president. He was re-elected in 2019 for a second term.
Although his government invested in infrastructure such as railway, highways and agriculture, he failed to tackle corruption and insecurity, which has continued to plague the country today.
Health
As President, Buhari was often in and out of hospital in the UK, due to prolonged ill-health.
Amos Esele is the Editor of THEWILL Newspaper. He has over two decades of experience on the job.
