SHOLA JAMES was at Daura, Katsina State where Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s modest apartment sits with others
Daura is a very important town not only
to Katsina State but to the entire Hausa race. The town carved another
niche for itself recently: it is the hometown of the President-elect,
Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd).
Daura, which lies in the savannah zone, occupies a very important position in the history of the Hausa.
It is generally accepted as the origin of
the Hausa states (Hausa Bakwai) and it had in time past been under the
rule of females (Queens) known as Magajiya and others.
Daura is a predominantly Hausa/Fulani
Muslim town centrally located on the northern apex of Nigeria which
borders Kano, Jigawa states and Zinder in Niger Republic.
As the sun beat down hard on the
President’s home town that sunny afternoon, everyone our correspondent
made inquiries from regarding Buhari’s residence was happy to lend a
helping hand.
The personal residence of the President-elect in Daura is located at the Government Reserved Area.
Navigating the road to the GRA, the sun
was still ferocious but this came to an end as our correspondent found
his way. The reason was not far-fetched. The Daura GRA is heavily
screened by trees with lush green leaves cascading down their
umbrella-like branches.
There, the modest three-bedroom bungalow
of Buhari, a former military head of state is tucked. It is a few metres
off Daura-Kwangolam road, nestling the Daura Shagari Low Cost Housing
Estate. The building is almost nondescript thus attracting no attention.
It is painted white.
The structure is, however, protected from
the glaring eyes of the public by average-height concrete perimeter
fence. The massive dark-green metal gate that serves as entrance is
bordered by a gatehouse with a small window.
It is from there that the security guard peeped out to ask what the mission of our correspondent was.
Buhari’s farmhouses
The structure reportedly was built in
1983. Incidentally, Buhari became the military head of state in a coup
d’état on December 31, 1983. Prior to this, he was a one-time Military
Governor of North-Eastern (now Borno) State, a former Federal
Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources, and General Officer
Commanding of more than two military divisions.
The surrounding fence of the property is
not as high as to prevent passers-by from observing whatever event that
is going on inside the General’s residence.
Apart from the fence, the entire building
is devoid of heavy barbed wire around it. Similarly, from the outside
because of the harsh weather, the neem trees and other plants have grown
to further beautify the modest structure.
About 1,500 metres from the residential building, Buhari’s farmhouse stands modestly, surrounded by white sands.
Despite the presence of security operatives moving in, out and around the house, the entrance to the house is not restricted.
Children, youths and others visit the house at all times to exchange greetings with the General’s aides, who reside there.
Going through the wide dark-green gate,
one is thrown into the embrace of various flowers, trees and grass which
surround the house. The general ambience around the house exudes
tranquillity. This probably explains why a neighbour, who craved
anonymity, described it as a resting garden.
The building itself is located somewhere
close to the middle of the yard with space on both sides as well as the
front and back. The space within the abode is enough to give the needed
relaxation.
A number of his neighbours who spoke with SUNDAY PUNCH said they were humbled to have Buhari close to them.
“We have learnt a lot from the General
because he is someone that is principled, strong-willed and quite
dependable,” one of them said.
They added that the General identifies
with them and that they had no alternative but to ensure his victory
during the last general elections.
A neighbour who pleaded anonymity, said,
“We shall continue to support and assist him with prayers to enable him
do the right things for our great nation, Nigeria.”
Another neighbour, Malam Habu told SUNDAY PUNCH that residents of Daura are very grateful to God for enabling the General to win the election this time around.
He said, “In 1983, when he became head of
state, most people had started adjusting their lifestyles owing to some
of his administration’s programmes and policies. Look at where he
started from, how he has asked his immediate family members and
dependants, to find legitimate jobs to do, as anyone of them caught
committing a crime would have himself to blame, meaning that none of the
them will be spared the rod.”
Salisu Leko, a primary schoolmate of the
General said the President-elect has a listening ear for all, including
his seniors, mates and immediate neighbours.
Leko, however, said this caring trait of Buhari does not prevent him from calling erring acquaintances to order.
He said, “Anyone found wanting among
those he knows or close to him will surely be called to order because he
hates cheats. He will not allow cheating wherever he finds himself.”
Leko, who is the Yarin Daura, a Daura
traditional title, added that the country would witness “change” during
Buhari’s tenure if he gets the desired support and cooperation.
He said, “Buhari loves the downtrodden;
whatever he can do to bridge the wide gap presently created between the
rich and the poor makes him happy.”
Leko said job creation would be Buhari’s utmost agenda.
“The situation we are now in calls for
concern; people can no longer be assured of three square meals per day
and this is the type of fight he will engage in during his tenure to
improve the lot of all,” he said.
Musan Chairman, a driver to the General’s
elder brother described Buhari as strict and law-abiding, adding that
Nigerians, would witness more instances of the recently reported
incident where Buhari asked his convoy to obey traffic rules.
Chairman said, “I have been close to the
family for years. No one gets undue favour. I remember when a worker in
the house reported to the General that he had yet to receive his pay and
other entitlements. He (Buhari) immediately called the person
responsible to explain and directed that the worker’s salaries and other
entitlements be paid instantly. He also demanded an apology from the
culprit.”
Similarly, Lawal Nata’ala, a businessman,
said with the second coming of Buhari, Nigeria would be a better place,
but called for the support of Nigerians.
Nata’ala said, “We must be ready to give
our support, because no good thing happens so soon. Yes, expectations
are very high and all eyes are now on him to redeem this country from
its present ‘comatose state.’ We should pray for his administration
fervently to enable him make the change that he has dreamt of for this
great nation, Nigeria.”
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