Hadiza Muhammadu Buhari, affectionately called Nana, has opened her heart in a deeply personal tribute to her late father, former President Muhammadu Buhari. In an emotional conversation with BBC Hausa, she reflected on his quiet strength, deep values, and the lasting lessons he passed on to his children.
She described him as a man of unwavering principles—disciplined, patient, and composed. “He shaped who we are,” Hadiza shared, recalling the kind of upbringing that left no room for cutting corners, no matter how small.
One memory stood out. As a young girl, she had been sent to buy textbooks. With some money left over, she bought herself sweets. When she returned home, her father noticed. “Nana,” he told her, “that’s not right. Always return the change to the person who sent you. If they give it to you, fine. But never assume it’s yours.” That moment, she said, stayed with her for life.
Despite his quiet nature, Hadiza described a man who knew how to laugh and connect—especially with his children. “We shared jokes, we laughed,” she said softly. “He didn’t like loudness. Even when provoked, he wouldn’t respond with anger. He would just look at you.”
The loss, she admitted, cuts deep—echoing the pain she felt when their mother passed away 20 years ago. “It feels the same,” she said, her voice filled with sorrow.
She spoke about how her father maintained personal bonds with each of his children and grandchildren, often giving them special nicknames. “He had his own names for all of them—Mama, Babban Mutum…” she smiled. His warmth extended beyond immediate family, reaching cousins, relatives, and anyone within the circle of kinship.
There was also a gentler, more whimsical side to him—his fondness for animals. Hadiza recalled how he adored his cattle, turtles, and peacocks, tending to them with care.
One of her last memories of him was during his treatment in London. As she prepared to return to Nigeria, she told him goodbye. His reply was simple, yet full of grace: “Then go and greet Nigerians for me.”
It was a quiet farewell from a man who lived with dignity—and left with it too.
