Goodwill messages poured in from prominent Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country as President Muhammadu Buhari turned 80 years old on Saturday, 17 December 2022.
In their separate messages, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Tinubu, state governors, former state governors and other prominent Nigerians were full of praises for the octogenarian.
Buhari, born 17 December 1942 in Daura, present-day Katsina State, served as Nigeria’s military head of state from 31 December 1983 to 27 August 1985 after coming to power through a military coup d’état. He was elected a civilian president in 2015 after three previous failed attempts in 2003, 2007, and 2011.
Osinbajo, in a statement he personally signed on behalf himself, his wife and family, wished Buhari a happy 80th birthday and many more happy years in peace and good health.
“Your extraordinary life of unblemished service to the nation in the army, as a Governor, Minister, Military Head of State and as two-term Civilian President demonstrates that it is possible to serve the nation and our people honestly, forthrightly and selflessly,” Osinbajo said.
Former President Jonathan said Buhari has had an exceptional opportunity of leading Nigeria twice, as a military head of state and civilian president, and has at both times offered his best efforts in the pursuit of his aspirations for the nation.
“As a leader, you are one of the few Nigerians who have been privileged to administer our country at different political eras, both as a military Head of State and civilian president. During these times, you have offered your best efforts in the pursuit of your aspirations for the nation,” Jonathan said in a goodwill message he personally signed.
He wished Buhari strength, peace and God’s guidance in the remaining months of his administration and beyond.
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said Buhari at 80 “continues to be a motivation for inner strength” and prayed for the president “to continue to enjoy the grace of good health and vitality, as he continues to play his leadership roles in Nigeria and Africa”.
Tinubu lauded Buhari for “his commitment to nation-building and long years of patriotic service to the country”.
The APC presidential candidate, in a statement issued by his media office and signed by Tunde Rahman, described Buhari as “a patriot, selfless and steadfast leader of uncommon zeal”, noting that the president enlisted himself into the service of the country as a teenager who joined the military immediately after secondary school.
“At 80, President Buhari can look back and be proud of his unblemished record of service to the nation throughout his military career as a soldier, platoon commander, General Officer Commanding, Military Governor, Minister of Petroleum, Head of State, Chairman of Petroleum Trust Fund and as the current leader of the country,” Tinubu said.
He called Buhari “my president and my leader”, “an officer and a gentleman” who has been “a selfless and steadfast leader, and a patriot with uncommon zeal who has dedicated almost his entire life to the service of Nigeria”.
“Our country is lucky to have this great man and dedicated public servant at this time. President Buhari has led an extraordinary life of service to Nigeria at every duty post with unassailable integrity. History will be kind to him and record his contributions to the progress, unity and stability of Nigeria in volumes.
“As a people, we are truly blessed to have a president who sees no higher honour than the opportunity to serve his people, a responsibility he has always carried with utmost dedication.
“We are proud that at age 80, this noble man, an officer and a gentleman is still rendering his service, recording tremendous achievements, the country making remarkable progress under his leadership, and his steady hands gradually guiding the country to the Promised Land,” he said.
On his part, Senate President Lawan said millions of Nigerians are inspired by Buhari’s life story and legacy of service to the country.
“As we approach the end of your tenure on 29th May, 2023, you can rest assured that millions of Nigerians across our vast country genuinely appreciate your achievements in nation-building and in strengthening the guardrails of democracy in Nigeria,” Lawan said.
“The record of your administration in infrastructural development across the nation is unrivaled and will continue to speak for your stewardship long after your retirement. Your Excellency, once again, I wish you a happy birthday celebration and many more years in good health and happiness,” he said.
Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State governor, described President Buhari as a blessing to Nigeria and an exemplary and quintessential leader who has moved the country a notch higher, especially in the area of infrastructure, security, agriculture and international diplomacy.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, on Friday, Abiodun said that the president, despite his age, has worked tirelessly to reposition the country and put it on the path of development.
He acknowledged President Buhari’s determination to change the narrative of the country via his administration’s various programmes aimed at making life easier for Nigerians, noting that the people would continue to cherish his presidency years to come.
He prayed Allah to grant Buhari a long life and sound health as well as a deserving rest after the expiration of his administration next year, while urging Nigerians to support the president in his efforts to conduct a free, fair and credible poll next year.
Kayode Fayemi, a former governor of Ekiti State and president, Forums of Regions of Africa (FORAF), praised Buhari at 80, saying as a leader, the president has done his best to fix the multi-dimensional problems plaguing Nigeria.
Fayemi, in a statement on Friday by Ahmad Sajoh, the head of his media office, said that even Buhari’s fiercest critics would not deny his personal integrity, his ascetic lifestyle and his love for the common people, which has been demonstrated in the numerous social development and pro-people policies and programmes of the federal government in the last seven and a half years.
“Buhari has shown through his personal example and conduct that a new kind of leadership is possible in Africa, one that is not exemplified by the accumulation of personal wealth but speedy social and infrastructural transformation through government action,” Fayemi said.
