Former President Muhammadu Buhari rejected a gold wrist watch gift from a Nigerian and a personal aircraft from the United Arab Emirates, UAE.
The former president’s media aide, Garba Shehu made this known during a television interview at the weekend, saying the former president who died recently maintained his integrity while he was alive.
Buhari died on July 13, 2025 and was well acclaimed within and outside the country as a man integrity.
According to Shehu, a Nigerian fashion designer, impressed by Buhari’s leadership, crafted a customised diamond wristwatch bearing the president’s image, and offered it as a gift to Buhari who rejected the gift.
Shehu: “And the guy, fascinated by President Muhammadu Buhari, crafted this wristwatch studded with diamonds; customised, with the picture of the president embossed on it. And he brought it. However, Buhari flatly rejected the gift.
“The president looked at it, and he said, ‘Diamond wristwatch? I can’t wear this. Please tell this young Nigerian that he’s doing well for himself. He’s also a good ambassador of the country. We’ll continue to encourage him; let him please continue to promote the image, the name of this country in his trade. But the wristwatch, take it back to him. I can’t use it.”
Shehu also narrated how Buhari was offered a private aircraft by the Emir of Abu Dhabi, during his visit to the Emirate in 2016, but the late Nigerian leader turned down the gift.
According to Garba “When we went to the United Arab Emirates in 2016, and in Abu Dhabi, which is the capital, the Emir of Abu Dhabi asked the president, Which aircraft did he want? He offered him an aircraft.”
“The president said, If it is for my country? I will accept. But the Emir said, “No, it’s for you so that you can also use it after you leave office.”
The late President Buhari was regarded by not a few as a man of integrity and anti-corruption advocate. His spartan lifestyle was believed to have attracted many people to him.
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