Former Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (Rtd), has described the late President Muhammadu Buhari as a “towering figure in national history” and a “statesman of unmatched devotion and dignity,” in a heartfelt tribute following the elder statesman’s death on Sunday.
In a condolence message, Admiral Gambo expressed profound sorrow over the passing of the former President, whom he referred to as both a principled leader and a father figure.
“With a deeply saddened heart and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah (SWT), I pay tribute to our beloved father, leader, and elder statesman, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR,” Gambo said. “His passing is not only a monumental loss to his immediate family, but to the entire Nigerian nation, which he served with unmatched devotion and dignity.”
Reflecting on Buhari’s legacy, the retired Naval Chief described him as a soldier of incorruptible spirit, a disciplined leader, and a resilient patriot who remained steadfast in the face of Nigeria’s political and security challenges.
“As a soldier, General Buhari stood tall with courage, unwavering discipline, and an incorruptible spirit. As a President and Commander-in-Chief, he embodied the highest ideals of public service, personal sacrifice, and national commitment,” he said.
Vice Admiral Gambo, who served as Nigeria’s 21st indigenous Chief of Naval Staff from 2021 to 2023, said his appointment by Buhari was one of the greatest honours of his career. He also fondly recalled Buhari’s presence at the Presidential Fleet Review in Lagos, which was his last major military engagement as President.
“In him, I found not only a Commander-in-Chief, but a father figure—firm yet fair, deeply principled, and genuinely committed to the welfare and professional growth of those he led,” Gambo stated.
He lauded Buhari’s contributions to military reforms, personnel welfare, and the modernisation of naval operations. “He gave us the space and confidence to fulfil our mandate, and his support was both quiet and resolute,” he added.
Gambo also reflected on the late President’s personal virtues, describing him as a man of integrity, simplicity, and deep compassion for the poor.
“President Buhari’s integrity was his enduring signature. In a world too often swayed by transient gains, he remained unmoved—anchored in honesty, modesty, and love for his country,” he said.
The retired naval chief shared a personal anecdote about his mother, a long-time admirer of Buhari, who was overjoyed at his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff and had the opportunity to meet the President in person after he left office—an encounter she deeply cherished.
“Though his physical presence is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in every institution he strengthened, every reform he championed, and every life he touched,” Gambo said.
He concluded with a prayer: “As we bid him farewell, I pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) grants him Aljannatul Firdaus and grants strength and peace to his beloved family and to all of us who mourn the passing of a great patriot.”
