As tributes continue to pour in for former President Muhammadu Buhari, Bishop Gerald Musa of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina has described the late Nigerian leader as “a man of integrity, discipline, and selfless devotion.”
He urged Nigerians, especially political leaders, to emulate his character.
Speaking in Daura during the final day of the Fidau prayer, Musa said he had come to pay his respects to a man he admired deeply, not just as a national figure, but as a disciplined individual whose leadership left indelible lessons.
“While he was alive, I learned so much from him,” the bishop said. “He was incorruptible, particularly during his time as a military leader. I remember as a student, we admired his policies, especially the War Against Indiscipline.”
Though acknowledging that Buhari was not without flaws, Bishop Musa emphasised that the former president’s core values, truthfulness, devotion, and integrity stood out and should be memorialised.
“No human being is perfect, but Buhari’s legacy of discipline and simplicity is powerful. We are praying not only for God to reward him for the good he did, but also to forgive his imperfections,” he added.
Reflecting on what Nigerians can learn from Buhari’s life, the Bishop highlighted the importance of humility, religious devotion, and a transparent lifestyle.
“He didn’t live to accumulate wealth. The simplicity of his house and this environment tells us he was not a materialistic man. In a time when public officers chase after money, Buhari showed a different path of service without greed,” he said.
Bishop Musa called on political officeholders to focus on legacy rather than luxury.
“It’s not about gathering material things or stashing money in bank accounts. Ask yourself, what will you be remembered for? Leaders, governors, parents everyone must think about the legacy they’re leaving behind,” he said.
He concluded by citing a biblical reflection: “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and suffers the loss of his soul?”
As prayers and tributes close across Katsina State, Bishop Musa’s message stood out as a moral call to conscience, a reminder that leadership must be rooted in sacrifice, not self-enrichment.
