Buhari At 73: 7 Important Things You Should Know About Him

President Muhammadu buhari was born on the 17th December, 1942, which makes him 73 years old today. Bolajiz Blog  join millions of Nigerians to wish the president a happy birthday. While we do that, we’ve put together seven important facts you may not have known about Mr. President

Buhari’s victory in the 2015 presidential election marked the first time in the history of Nigeria that an incumbent president lost to an opposition candidate in a general election.

– Buhari was the first Nigerian to be appointed as Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, when it was created in 1977, a position he held until 1978.

– In 1983, when Chadian forces invaded Nigeria in Borno State, Buhari used the forces under his command to chase them out of the country, crossing into Chadian territory in spite of an order given by President Shagari to withdraw.

– In 1984, Buhari passed Decree Number 4, the Protection Against False Accusations Decree. Section 1 of the law provided that “Any person who publishes in any form, whether written or otherwise, any message, rumour, report or statement […] which is false in any material particular or which brings or is calculated to bring the Federal Military Government or the Government of a state or public officer to ridicule or disrepute, shall be guilty of an offense under this Decree” sound familiar right? (yeah right…the proposed social media bill).

Buhari and his first wife, Safinatu (First lady of Nigeria December 1983-August 1985), who he married in 1971 but divorced in 1988 had five children together, four girls and one boy. Also Buhari and his second and current wife Aisha Buhari have five children together, a boy and four girls.

– When he ruled Nigeria from January 1984 to August 1985, Nigerians will remember that period for a strict campaign against indiscipline and corruption, in which he ordered Nigerians to form neat queues at bus stops, under the sharp eyes of whip-wielding soldiers as part of his “War Against Indiscipline”.

– During his short reign as military head of state, he also ordered that the currency be replaced – the colour of the naira notes were changed – forcing all holders of old notes to exchange them at banks within a limited period as part of his anti-corruption measures.

– When Gen. Ibrahim Babangida on 27 August 1985 ousted Buhari out of power, Buhari was imprisoned for 40 months.

If you didn’t know, now you know!!