By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice
In a world too often dimmed by cynicism and noise, a radiant spark emerged on a recent evening in Abuja—the spark of a young boy whose name already evokes attention: Muhammadu Buhari.
Born in 2015, the same year former President Muhammadu Buhari ascended Nigeria’s highest office, this remarkable child was not only named after the statesman but has, in many ways, adopted his persona—stoic, deliberate, yet deeply captivating. At just nine years old, he speaks not just in words but in verse—each syllable heavy with meaning, each performance filled with grace and innocence.
At the launch of “According to the President: Lessons from the Experience of a Spokesman”, authored by the former presidential spokesman Mallam Garba Shehu, the young Muhammadu Buhari was nothing short of mesmerizing. Appearing on stage with his elder brother Omanibe—together known as the Ochimane Brothers—he delivered poetic lines with the confidence of a seasoned griot, echoing ancestral wisdom through the voice of youth.
But it wasn’t just his performance that held the crowd spellbound. It was what followed. As the applause settled, the boy did not simply step down. Instead, with quiet majesty and a glint of curiosity in his eyes, he made his way toward the dignitaries. What unfolded was a moment no camera could fully capture—a confluence of respect, boldness, and divine charm.
General Yakubu Gowon, ever the elder statesman with a heart that embraces the future, stood up—yes, stood up—to shake the hand of this child, this little prince of poetry. Such is the power of humility meeting humility.
When he approached the 15th Emir of Kano, His Highness Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, young Muhammadu instinctively folded his fist in a traditional salutation—a subtle, striking sign of deep cultural knowledge. Moved beyond protocol, the Emir extended his hand to this exceptional child. A silent nod, a handshake, a bridge across generations.
Former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar beckoned the boy over for a special photograph. A rare gesture from a man who has seen it all, now eager to be seen with this symbol of promise.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, stepped forward and wrapped the boy in a warm hug—an embrace that carried both recognition and blessing.
Then came the delightful moment with Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. When the boy referred to him as “my professor”, the former Vice President burst into a wide, heartening smile—one that said more than words ever could.
And who is this wonder of a boy?
A royal seed of the Ochimane lineage in Olamaboro, Kogi State, Muhammadu Buhari holds the traditional title ‘Oma Ane Ejeh Doogaaaaa’—a prestigious honor conferred on him by the Olamaboro Traditional Council. Despite his age, he is already revered for the grace, composure, and brilliance he brings to every gathering he attends.
His poetry is not mere recital—it is declaration, rhythm, reverence, and identity. Alongside Omanibe, the Ochimane Brothers are not just performing—they are preserving, celebrating, and inspiring.
There’s something mystifying about this child. He walks into a room not with arrogance, but with awareness—an awareness of who he is, where he comes from, and the legacy he carries in his tiny hands and mighty voice.
At nine, he is not just a boy. He is a messenger. A prince. A bridge between history and destiny.
And as his father, I watched with moist eyes and quiet awe. For my son, Muhammadu Buhari, that day wasn’t just a performance—it was a divine unveiling. He glowed in the awesome grace of God, and for everyone present, it was a reminder that hope often comes in the smallest of vessels.
Indeed, this is only the beginning of an amazing world—crafted in verse, draped in tradition, and walked boldly by a boy named Muhammadu Buhari.
