By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari, in the course of the week, won the hearts of his fellow African leaders in Niamey, Niger Republic, who shared glowing testimonies of his leadership qualities.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the African leaders were in Niamey for the African Union Summit on Industrialisation and Economic Diversification, as well as the Extraordinary Session on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The African leaders used the opportunity of the Summit to attend the inauguration of the French version of the book entitled  ‘‘Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges of Leadership in Nigeria’’, in Niamey.

Speaking at the book launch, President Mohamed Bazoum of Niger Republic described the Nigerian leader as ‘‘an austere man, uncompromising, humble man, an ardent patriot and a committed democrat’’.

He also commended author of the book, Prof. John Paden, for writing about the life and work of the Nigerian leader.

Paden is a Professor of International Studies at George Mason University, Northern Virginia, U.S.

Shortly after his arrival in Niamey on Thursday, Buhari had earlier inaugurated a 3.8km and 160m wide Boulevard named after him by the Government of the Republic of Niger.

President Umaro Embaló of Guinea Bissau, who is also the current Chairman of ECOWAS, told guests at the event that his father was equally called Muhammadu and was born the same year as Muhammadu Buhari.

“I just want to emphasise that there is a reciprocating affection for this man.

“Today, l am the President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau, firstly it is God and secondly it is this man, Baba. Thank you very much,’’ the Guinea Bissau leader said.

According to him, the book is a portrait of a great African leader, saying: “I pay  homage to President Buhari for his patriotism and commitment in maintaining peace in our sub-region.

“We have an `avenue` in Guinea Bissau bearing Buhari’s name since a year ago. Baba, as I fondly call him, is a mentor, always available to offer solutions. Baba is a tireless artisan in the maintenance of peace and solidarity in the sub-region.’’

On his part, the President of Chad described Buhari as a very experienced man with a great dream for Nigeria and a clear vision for Africa.

“President Buhari brings a heritage and a source of knowledge to us all. Thank you for this inestimable gift, Mr President.

“President Buhari is undoubtedly an icon whose role and action make the African voice to be heard in the world.

“He has always contributed to development in Africa by protecting and defending Africa and Africans. You are undoubtedly a model. You taught us perseverance in politics,” he said.

Issoufou, the immediate past President of Niger, praised the incumbent for launching the French version of the book, whose idea was conceived during his tenure as president.

The former president said: ‘‘As a military head of state, his primary preoccupation was fighting corruption, and even now as a democratic president, he is a leader who knows the close links between security, democracy and development.

“He is Mr Dignity and Mr Truth as he is called and a sincere friend of Niger.”

Shortly after his arrival in Niamey on Thursday, Buhari had earlier inaugurated a 3.8km and 160m wide Boulevard named after him by the Government of the Republic of Niger.

While in Niamey, the president called on African leaders to tailor their educational system and academic curricular towards Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to achieve full industrialisation by the year 2030.

Buhari made the call in his National Statement on Friday in Niamey, the capital of Niger Republic, at the AU Summit on Industrialisation and Economic Diversification in Africa.

According to him, STEM is the ”short way” to produce the next generation of managers of an industrialised Africa not dependent on expatriates.

The Nigerian leader had earlier inaugurated the Kolmani Integrated Development Project on Tuesday in Bauchi State, where he revealed that  his administration had attracted over US$3 billion investment in the Oil and Gas Sector at a time of near-zero appetite for investment in fossil energy.

The Kolmani company is a fully integrated in-situ development project, comprising upstream production, oil refining, power generation and fertilizer.

The president also inaugurated the redesigned Naira notes of N200, N500 and N1000 at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, where he later presided over the virtual meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The Council approved an extension of the National Anti-Corruption Strategic Document from 2022 to 2026.

It also approved N14.09 billion as an augmentation of the contract sum for the construction of a road in Kano State.

Buhari also joined the international community to condole with the government and people of Indonesia following a devastating earthquake that killed at least 268 people in the Asian country on Monday.

The 5.6-magnitude quake hit the Cianjur region in West Java, Indonesia, at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles), according to the United States Geological Survey.

The deadly incident also damaged 22,000 houses and displaced 13,000 persons.

Buhari also celebrated his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, who turned 78 on Nov. 24, 2022.

He noted that Gambari’s congeniality, brilliance and rectitude, had continued to light his path as a scholar, publisher, international diplomat, and technocrat, with records of distinguished service in Nigeria and the United Nations (UN).

Buhari saluted the Chief of Staff for the courage, experience and wisdom he has brought to bear on the position, and the difference made in government, after serving as the longest Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations.

(NAN)