Buhari: Nigeria has lost an icon of integrity –Gen. Onoja

A former Principal General Staff Officer, (Chief of Staff) State House, Major-General Lawrence Onoja, rtd has expressed sadness at the death of the immediate past President, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, who passed on in a London hospital on Sunday 13th July at the age of 82. The former Military Governor of Plateau and Katsina States in a statement extends his condolences to Mrs Aisha Buhari, the former First Lady and her family, the Daura Emirate as well as the Government and people of Katsina State.The Elder Statesman described ex-President Buhari as an epitome of integrity, discipline, humility and a patriot whose love for Nigeria is undeniable and was demonstrated in the various roles he served the country in the course of his illustrious Military career where he held many command positions as well as having served as a Head of State between 1983-1985 and later two terms of 8 years from 2015-2023 as a democratically elected president of Nigeria. He recalled the courageous and tactical roles the former President played in the military during the Nigeria civil war in defence of the unity of Nigeria as further testament of his love for the nation. Onoja described the demise of the ex-president as a monumental loss not just to his immediate family but to the entire nation. Onoja found Buhari to be an exceptionally good and dedicated soldier when he served under him as CO Guards Battalion and Buhari was the Lagos Garrison Commander in Ikeja. Also when he was released from prison in 1988, Onoja was tasked with looking after his welfare as Military Governor of Katsina State, he attests to his zero tolerance for corruption who sacrificed a lot for the good of the nation.He further added that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, departed at a time his wise counsel is much needed in state affairs has left a void that would be difficult to fill. The retired general however stated that Buhari left behind lasting legacies of human and infrastructural development through his decades of service to the nation. He prayed to God to grant the immediate family of the former President and the government and people of Katsina State the fortitude and strength to bear the painful loss and the peaceful repose of his soul.