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Unveiled: Femi Adesina’s Memoir and a Five-Volume Compendium on Buhari’s Legacy
On Tuesday, January 16, two notable books were presented to the public, featuring insights into the political landscape of Nigeria and the legacy of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The event, graced by President Bola Tinubu as a special guest of honour, marked the first public appearance of both President Buhari and his successor, President Tinubu, after the handover on May 29, 2023.
The first book, authored by Femi Adesina, former special adviser to President Buhari on media and publicity, is titled *“Working with Buhari: Reflections of A Special Adviser, Media, and Publicity (2015-2023).”* This 488-page memoir delves into Adesina’s experiences during Buhari’s eight years as a civilian president, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges and decision-making processes of the administration.
President Tinubu, in his remarks, expressed gratitude to Adesina for sharing insights into the “challenging eight years” of Buhari’s administration. Adesina clarified that his book focuses on the “software of governance” and aims to provide a deeper understanding of the man who led the nation during that period.
Embedded in the memoir is a checklist of the achievements of the Buhari administration, occupying about 80 pages. Adesina emphasized the importance of documenting these achievements, stating, “For me, Buhari is a conviction,” and underlining the need to preserve records for posterity.
Former President Buhari, acknowledging Adesina’s contribution, stated, “Femi Adesina has done the nation a favor in writing this book. He has provided firsthand information on our eight years of stewardship.” Buhari highlighted the transparency and accountability of his administration, emphasizing the significance of documentation for historical accuracy.
The chairman of the occasion, former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, praised Buhari’s contributions to the country’s development, acknowledging the challenges faced amid varying criticisms. The co-chairman, retired army general I.B.M Haruna, commended Buhari’s service to Nigeria as both a military leader and a democrat.
In the book review, journalist Shola Oshunkeye noted that Adesina’s memoir provides intriguing insights into Buhari’s human side, making it essential for those seeking to understand the enigma of Muhammadu Buhari.
The second book presented during the event is *“Muhammadu Buhari: The Nigerian Legacy (2015 – 2023),”* a comprehensive five-volume compendium written by over 100 contributors from academia, media, research institutes, and independent scholars. Edited by Udo Yakubu, the compendium aims to offer an authoritative and definitive account of Buhari’s administration.
President Tinubu endorsed the volumes, agreeing that the authors provided an authoritative account of President Buhari’s stewardship. He praised Buhari for promoting local production as a means to grow the economy, predicting that history would recognize him for this achievement.
The five volumes explore various facets of Buhari’s administration, covering themes such as his journey to the presidency, economic development, social and human development, national security, and Nigeria’s global relations. The compendium stands as a unique and unprecedented work in the history of Nigerian administrations, offering a comprehensive perspective on Buhari’s two terms in office.
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