One year after the passing of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, his successor, President Bola Tinubu, is set to lead his family, friends, former associates, government officials and admirers to honour his life and legacy.
   
Chairman of the Central Planning Committee and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, disclosed to newsmen in Abuja yesterday that the event would focus on prayers, reflection and celebration of Buhari’s service to Nigeria.
   
Meanwhile, the former has recounted his last meeting with Buhari, describing a dinner they shared in the United Kingdom (UK) weeks before his death as one of the most cherished memories of their long relationship.
   
Reflecting on Buhari’s final days, the former SGF, who served under Buhari for over five years, told newsmen that he had visited the late president about a month before his passing and later made another attempt to see him but was unable to, because “by then he had taken ill.”
   
According to him, the two spent over an hour over dinner at Buhari’s lodge in the UK, reflecting on their years in government. He stated, “We reflected on our tenure. We spoke about the things that we did and the things that we anticipated doing, but because of the limitation of time, we were unable to do.”
   
Mustapha said the ceremony would feature interfaith and interdenominational prayer sessions, reflecting the late president’s commitment to national unity, faith and peaceful coexistence.
   
He explained that religious leaders from different faiths and denominations would lead prayers for the repose of Buhari’s soul, while a select number of individuals who worked closely with him would share personal experiences and reflect on his historical legacy.
   
According to him, a major highlight of the programme will be President Tinubu’s public presentation of a commemorative book titled: Tributes and Condolences in Honour of Muhammadu Buhari.
   
According to him, the publication compiles tributes and condolence messages from heads of state, diplomats, political leaders and other members of the international community following Buhari’s death on July 13 last year at the age of 82.
   
Mustapha said the collection portrays the late president as a man of simplicity, resilience, humility and integrity, whose life inspired many across the world.
   
Eulogising Buhari’s leadership qualities, he clarified that the book is not for sale and is not intended for fundraising, stressing that copies would be distributed free of charge.
   
Mustapha said thoughts of Buhari continue to evoke mixed emotions, describing him as not only a former president but also as a father figure, mentor and guide: “Whenever I think about my personal and official relationship with him, I feel I’ve lost a leader, a father, a mentor, and a guiding force.”
   
He added that reflecting on Buhari’s life, humility, and simplicity constantly reminds him of the fleeting, “frailty and transient nature of life.”