The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity , Femi Adesina , says contrary to widespread belief , President Muhammadu Buhari is not a stingy man .
Adesina said Buhari on one occasion handed him an envelope filled with foreign currency and also sponsored his family on a trip to the South – East when he was given a title .
The President ’ s spokesman said this in a birthday tribute in honour of his principal titled , ‘ Buhari at 78: If Only We Knew the President ’ , on Thursday.
He wrote, “ And in January 2017, I was to receive the traditional title of Nwanne di Namba of Mmaku Kingdom , in Enugu State . Courtesy demanded I tell the President . This man, who prides himself as ‘ very stingy’ gave me a handsome amount of money to ferry my friends and family to the ceremony . How much ? I won ’ t tell you , lest you ask for a belated share.
“ And in May 2018, I was billed for China for a 12-day course for senior government officials from Africa . He said when the journey was two days away, I should come to see him . I did . You know what he said ? ‘ Adesina, I know that you don’ t have money. But you are too shy to ask . ’ We both laughed , and he gave me an envelope which contained foreign currency. How much? You think I ’ ll tell you ? For where ?”
Adesina dismissed reports that one Jubril from Sudan was impersonating Buhari while the real President was dead .
He said Buhari ’ s memory was still very good as he remembered several events that occurred during the Nigerian civil war in the 1960s
The President ’ s spokesman said his principal believed in rewarding good deeds hence his decision to reward the late Justice Sylvester Nsofor and Justice George Oguntade with ambassadorial appointments .
“ Ask me for a loyal man , who never forgets a good turn , and I ’ ll show you Muhammadu Buhari. Among the last class of Ambassadors, he had personally picked Justice George Oguntade , who was sent to United Kingdom , and Justice Sylvester Nsofor , who he deployed to America. The latter died only last week, aged 85.
“ How did the two men gain the favour, loyalty and respect of the President ? In his many legal battles after disputed election results in 2003, and 2007, they had given dissenting judgements at both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court , nullifying the election results , saying Candidate Buhari had been cheated. The man never forgot, and sought them out in due time . The same also happened to some of us working with him today” , Adesina said .
