Between Lincoln and Buhari: Lessons for the youths (1)

“Do not be afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” – Williams Shakespeare (1564-1616).

BOTH Abraham Lincoln, the 16th United States of America (USA) and Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s former military Head of State and current President may not be the same political and historical figures of the same century but definitely, they share the same destinies and on the same page of history. Lincoln and Lincoln’s America faced and overcame many challenges to unite and put America on the path to greatness. Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. He was a son of successful peasant farmer and carpenter. The search for a better living and security forced Lincoln family to move from one settlement to another within America. They moved from Kentucky, their original location to Indiana and finally to Illinois in 1830. It was in the state of Illinois that Abraham Lincoln began a life as an adult, by partnering a friend to start a business, serving as a captain in the Illinois Militia during the Black Hawk War and contesting election into the Illinois General Assembly.

Buhari, as earlier noted, is not the same historical and political figure as Lincoln, for he is existing now; more than a century after the death of the latter. But their (Lincoln and Buhari) existence from their humble beginnings, high level of commitment and patriotism, leadership qualities and roles played in the growth, development and stability in their respective nations are almost the same worthy of emulating. Buhari had a humble beginning. He was born on December 17, 1942. Little was known about his family background until he came to the limelight in the early 1980s when he became Head of State. Though, he had previously occupied public offices before 1980s, it was his status as Head of State that shot him into limelight. This exalted position he occupied exposed his beginning more and put it in the public domain. As the 23rd child of his father, he was raised by a single parent (his mother), as his father Adamu, died while he was just three years old. He joined the Nigerian Army in 1961 and participated in virtually all events that shaped the country’s destiny from 1966 till 1985. He held many offices in the Army before becoming the head of state in 1983. His military Administration was abruptly terminated via another military coup in August 1985.

Though his tenure as Head of State was cut short, the angelic and incorruptible characters coupled with his leadership style speak volume and put him on the same page in the book of history of great leaders like Lincoln. Buhari and Lincoln may have tackled and overcome different challenges as leaders to save and preserve their respective countries from destruction and extinction, their goals are the same and these distinguish them as rare dogged, selfless and committed leaders. For instance, Lincoln in America today is classified among the best three American Presidents. As of year 2015, America has had up to 45 presidents since the time of George Washington in 1789 and for anyone to achieve the feat of being among the best three is not a joke. Lincoln’s achievements did not come to him as a fluke, but through the virtues and qualities he imbibed during his youthful period which later worked for him in life. Lincoln’s first and perhaps biggest challenge as a president was how to end slavery that was not only inhuman and iniquitous but plaguing America and threatening its unity. It would be difficult, if not impossible for any American leader then to take decisive measures to stop slavery because of so many vested interests in states and among elite.
To be continued.

Olawole is a historian and public affairs analyst, in Lagos.
Kaakaki2005@yahoo.com 08033192133.