One of the granddaughters of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, Sa’adatu Muhammad, has revealed a peculiar tradition her grandfather maintained, gifting newborn grandchildren a pair of turtles.

Naijaonpoint reports that she made the disclosure during an interview with BBC Hausa Service while reflecting on Buhari’s passing in a London clinic on Sunday after a yet-to-be-disclosed protracted illness.

Sa’adatu said the former President would send a male and female turtle to mark the birth of each grandchild, a gesture he believed encouraged nurturing and responsibility.

“Whenever a grandchild was born, he would send two turtles, a male and a female, for the child to raise,” she said.

She recalled receiving turtles on three different occasions. “He gifted me some, and they died. He gave me another set, and they also died. He gave me a third time but said he would not give me any more,” she recounted with a smile.

Speaking on the controversy that surrounded her grandfather’s years in public office, Sa’adatu said the former President was a man of integrity, who, despite his imperfections, should not be mischaracterised.

“Human beings are not infallible. Everyone has lapses. But no matter what you think of him, you can’t call Baba a thief, and you can’t call him a tyrant,” she said.

She also recalled a video of Buhari apologising to Nigerians after he left office, a gesture she believes softened many hearts and reminded the nation of his humility.

“This is a great gift, someone who has the right to be angry but chooses to forgive,” she added.