President Bola Tinubu, former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan are among guests scheduled to converge in Abuja on January 16, 2024, for the launch of two books authored by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.
The books titled ‘Muhammadu Buhari: The Nigerian Legacy (2015 – 2023)’ and Working With Buhari: Reflections of a Special Adviser Media and Publicity (2015 – 2023)’ will be launched at the Congress Hall, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
“The launch comes up on Tuesday at Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton starting at 10 am. We are fortunate to have the immediate past President and the sitting President coming for that event,” Adesina told journalists at a pre-book launch media conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Formerly Managing Director of The Sun Newspapers and President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Adesina was appointed Special Adviser on Media and Publicity by Buhari shortly after he assumed office in May 2015 and was re-appointed in August 2019.
He explained that the two books, which drew contributions from 100 co-authors, explore the human side of the Buhari years intending to correct the “myth” sold to Nigerians about the former President.
“I served for eight years, which is unprecedented. No media adviser has served for eight years in a democracy. I had the confidence of my principal for eight years and we worked together seamlessly and harmoniously.
“Not once did President Buhari complain about anything. Rather, he would see me and say, ‘Thank you. Thank you so much.’ So, that is the kind of relationship we had.
“I thought to document it because there is a certain myth about President Buhari, a narrative that his political enemies have sold and fed to the Nigerian public. I just felt that the true narrative had to be told and that is why I have written this book: to know the Buhari in flesh and blood,” he revealed.
Giving an insight into the book, Adesina said he documented Buhari’s major decisions throughout his two terms and the rationale behind them.
He revealed, “The book is not about the hardware of governance such as economic policy, monetary, foreign policy and all that…but the software of a government and the man who headed that government.
“What propelled him to make certain decisions? When he made them, I asked him, ‘Mr President, why,’ he would explain. This book will help Nigerians to know the real and true Muhammadu Buhari as opposed to the conjuration we had over decades.”
Meanwhile, the Editor of the books, Dr Udu Yakubu, said the project, which is mainly a private sector drive in content and financing, received inputs from 100 contributors.
Yakubu said, “Yes, I take ultimate responsibility for the work. But in terms of making the work, we had over 100 people who made critical contributions.
“What will be presented next week is what we describe as the authoritative, comprehensive and the most definitive story of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2023.
“This is a private sector-driven project from conception to delivery. It did not receive any government funding. Even in terms of contribution, we had only four or five contributions from persons in government.”
He explained that the strategy was necessary to “avoid any bias in favour of the government and, in particular, to maintain its trend of independence for contents credibility.”
Chairing Tuesday’s launch would be former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.
Other personalities include former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and founder of Oriental Energy Limited, Mohammed Indimi, who is chief launcher, among others. (Punch)
