SUNDAY SPECIAL:Inside Buhari’s simple country home....SEE PHOTO

Little history of the home town of the General,Daura is a very
important town not only to Katsina State but to the entire Hausa race.
The town carved another niche for itself recently: it is the hometown
of the President-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd).
Daura, which lies in the savannah zone, occupies a very important
position in the history of the Hausa.
It is generally accepted as the origin of the Hausa states (Hausa
Bakwai) and it had in time past been under the rule of females
(Queens) known as Magajiya and others.
Daura is a predominantly Hausa/Fulani Muslim town centrally located on
the northern apex of Nigeria which borders Kano, Jigawa states and
Zinder in Niger Republic.
As the sun beat down hard on the President's home town that sunny
afternoon, everyone our correspondent made inquiries from regarding
Buhari's residence was happy to lend a helping hand.
The personal residence of the President-elect in Daura is located at
the Government Reserved Area.
Navigating the road to the GRA, the sun was still ferocious but this
came to an end as our correspondent found his way. The reason was not
far-fetched. The Daura GRA is heavily screened by trees with lush
green leaves cascading down their umbrella-like branches.
There, the modest three-bedroom bungalow of Buhari, a former military
head of state is tucked. It is a few metres off Daura-Kwangolam road,
nestling the Daura Shagari Low Cost Housing Estate. The building is
almost nondescript thus attracting no attention. It is painted white.
The structure is, however, protected from the glaring eyes of the
public by average-height concrete perimeter fence. The massive
dark-green metal gate that serves as entrance is bordered by a
gatehouse with a small window.
It is from there that the security guard peeped out to ask what the
mission of firstclass newsline crew was.
The structure reportedly was built in 1983. Incidentally, Buhari
became the military head of state in a coup d'état on December 31,
1983. Prior to this, he was a one-time Military Governor of
North-Eastern (now Borno) State, a former Federal Commissioner for
Petroleum and Natural Resources, and General Officer Commanding of
more than two military divisions.
The surrounding fence of the property is not as high as to prevent
passers-by from observing whatever event that is going on inside the
General's residence.
Apart from the fence, the entire building is devoid of heavy barbed
wire around it. Similarly, from the outside because of the harsh
weather, the neem trees and other plants have grown to further
beautify the modest structure.
About 1,500 metres from the residential building, Buhari's farmhouse
stands modestly, surrounded by white sands.
Despite the presence of security operatives moving in, out and around
the house, the entrance to the house is not restricted.
Children, youths and others visit the house at all times to exchange
greetings with the General's aides, who reside there.
Going through the wide dark-green gate, one is thrown into the embrace
of various flowers, trees and grass which surround the house. The
general ambience around the house exudes tranquillity. This probably
explains why a neighbour, who craved anonymity, described it as a
resting garden.
The building itself is located somewhere close to the middle of the
yard with space on both sides as well as the front and back. The space
within the abode is enough to give the needed relaxation.
A number of his neighbours who spoke with firsrtclass newsline said
they were humbled to have Buhari close to them.
"We have learnt a lot from the General because he is someone that is
principled, strong-willed and quite dependable," one of them said.
They added that the General identifies with them and that they had no
alternative but to ensure his victory during the last general
elections.
A neighbour who pleaded anonymity, said, "We shall continue to support
and assist him with prayers to enable him do the right things for our
great nation, Nigeria."
Another neighbour, Malam Habu told firstclass newsline that residents
of Daura are very grateful to God for enabling the General to win the
election this time around.
He said, "In 1983, when he became head of state, most people had
started adjusting their lifestyles owing to some of his
administration's programmes and policies. Look at where he started
from, how he has asked his immediate family members and dependants, to
find legitimate jobs to do, as anyone of them caught committing a
crime would have himself to blame, meaning that none of the them will
be spared the rod."
Salisu Leko, a primary schoolmate of the General said the
President-elect has a listening ear for all, including his seniors,
mates and immediate neighbours.
Leko, however, said this caring trait of Buhari does not prevent him
from calling erring acquaintances to order.
He said, "Anyone found wanting among those he knows or close to him
will surely be called to order because he hates cheats. He will not
allow cheating wherever he finds himself."
Leko, who is the Yarin Daura, a Daura traditional title, added that
the country would witness "change" during Buhari's tenure if he gets
the desired support and cooperation.
He said, "Buhari loves the downtrodden; whatever he can do to bridge
the wide gap presently created between the rich and the poor makes him
happy."
Leko said job creation would be Buhari's utmost agenda.
"The situation we are now in calls for concern; people can no longer
be assured of three square meals per day and this is the type of fight
he will engage in during his tenure to improve the lot of all," he
said.
Musan Chairman, a driver to the General's elder brother described
Buhari as strict and law-abiding, adding that Nigerians, would witness
more instances of the recently reported incident where Buhari asked
his convoy to obey traffic rules.
Chairman said, "I have been close to the family for years. No one gets
undue favour. I remember when a worker in the house reported to the
General that he had yet to receive his pay and other entitlements. He
(Buhari) immediately called the person responsible to explain and
directed that the worker's salaries and other entitlements be paid
instantly. He also demanded an apology from the culprit."
Similarly, Lawal Nata'ala, a businessman, said with the second coming
of Buhari, Nigeria would be a better place, but called for the support
of Nigerians.
Nata'ala said, "We must be ready to give our support, because no good
thing happens so soon. Yes, expectations are very high and all eyes
are now on him to redeem this country from its present 'comatose
state.' We should pray for his administration fervently to enable him
make the change that he has dreamt of for this great nation, Nigeria."
Firstclassnewsline.net