A former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd), has disclosed a surprising detail about his 2021 military appointment: he’d never personally met then-President Muhammadu Buhari.
In a heartfelt tribute to the late president on Tuesday, Irabor lauded Buhari as “a good man and a disciplined and deeply principled leader.”
According to Irabor, Buhari’s leadership style was that of trust and delegation.
He added that Buhari placed implicit trust in those he appointed and never micromanaged, never second-guessing.
He said Buhari’s quiet confidence was sometimes misunderstood, but for those who worked closely with him, it was a mark of his character.
Irabor said, “I have never met you before, but I have heard of your performance. I hope you will not disappoint.
“Before he appointed me as Chief of Defence Staff on 26 January 2021, I had never met him personally.
“Like many Nigerians, I knew him only from a distance through the pages of history, the news, and the reverence with which he was spoken of in military circles.”
The ex-defence chief added, “In President Buhari, I encountered a disciplined and deeply principled leader. A man who said little but listened intently and deeply.
“He sat for hours, attentive and composed, never once calling for a break. I once asked him, half in jest, how he found the patience and strength. He only smiled.
“I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have served in his administration. To my Commander-in-Chief, my Principal – President Muhammadu Buhari, at the sound of the Last Post, rest well. You fought the good fight. May your soul find eternal peace in the bosom of the Almighty.”
Irabor also extended condolences to the Buhari’s family, particularly the former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, describing the late president’s service as marked by “dignity, honour, and integrity.”
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