President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to join top government officials, political leaders, family members and close associates of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja on July 13 for a special event to mark one year since Buhari’s death.
The event will feature the unveiling of a tribute book dedicated to the late former president, alongside interfaith prayers for the repose of his soul.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, disclosed details of the planned commemoration while speaking on behalf of the Central Planning Committee.
According to Mustapha, the anniversary event is designed to honour Buhari’s legacy and reflect on the values he stood for during his lifetime, particularly unity, discipline, service and national cohesion.
The tribute book, titled **“Tributes and Condolences in Honour of Muhammadu Buhari,”** will be formally presented during the programme.
Mustapha said the publication contains messages, reflections and condolences from world leaders, diplomats, senior government officials and political figures who had direct contact with Buhari during his years in public service.
He noted that many contributors described Buhari as a leader known for discipline, simplicity, resilience and integrity.
He also clarified that the book is not being published for commercial purposes.
According to him, it is strictly a historical document meant to preserve memories and tributes from those who encountered the late president. He added that copies would be distributed free of charge.
Mustapha said the ceremony will also provide an opportunity for individuals who worked closely with Buhari to publicly share their personal experiences and reflections on his life and leadership.
He explained that the gathering is expected to bring together Buhari’s family members, longtime associates, friends, former aides and admirers from across Nigeria and beyond.
The committee, he said, hopes the event will offer comfort to those Buhari left behind while also reminding Nigerians of the values he represented.
Buhari died on July 13 last year at the age of 82 after a prolonged illness.
Reflecting on his personal relationship with the former president, Mustapha described the last one year as a period of deep reflection.
He said his years of working closely with Buhari exposed him to both the public and private side of the late leader.
“When I look back at his simplicity, the way he conducted his life, you begin to question what man is made of, the frailty and transient nature of life,” Mustapha said.
He revealed that he last saw Buhari about a month before his death, noting that later attempts to visit him were disrupted by the sudden deterioration in his health.
Mustapha also recalled what he described as one of his most treasured memories with the former president.
“I still remember the last dinner I had with him. We chatted for over an hour over a meal in his hotel accommodation in the UK.
“Those are very precious memories because we reflected on our tenure, on the things we did and the things we anticipated to do but could not, because of time,” he said.
Mustapha said Buhari’s death created a major void in his life.
He described the late president as not just a former boss, but a father figure, mentor and leader whose guidance shaped many important moments in his career.
Speaking on unfinished projects from the Buhari administration, particularly in infrastructure and national development, Mustapha acknowledged that more progress was desired.
However, he noted that Nigeria’s size and the slow pace of institutional processes contributed to delays in achieving some long-term goals.