BY EDMOND ODOK – Streams of congratulatory messages have continued flooding the Presidency from different quarters with former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila joining many others to salute President Muhammadu Buhari on his 79th birthday celebration.
Also on the long list of complimentary messages to the President include Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun; Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr Orji Kalu; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase; and the Minister of Labour and Employment Minister, Senator Chris Ngige
Leading the pack, Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in penning golden words for President Buhari, prayed God to grant him good health, peace and long life.
Noting the President’s immense contributions to the development of Nigeria, Jonathan lauded his support and commitment to the peace mediation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Mali.
In a goodwill message that he personally signed, the former president said; “I am delighted to join your family, friends, well-wishers, and fellow compatriots to celebrate you on the occasion of your 79th birthday.
“Your Excellency, as a statesman and patriot, you have made significant contributions to the development of our country, occupying different leadership positions at different political eras.
“As we celebrate you on this special day, please accept my appreciation for your sustained co-operation and commitment towards the success of ECOWAS Peace Mission in Mali, where I serve as the Mediator. On behalf of my family, I wish you good health, peace, joy and long life.”
The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, in his message, said: “I join the multitude of fellow Nigerians and your other well-wishers across the globe in thanking Allah for His great gifts of good health and long life to you.”
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi, the Senate President further said; “You are a leader who has matched vision with courage and who is steadfast in his pursuit of the right cause and common good. The National Assembly will continue to work with you in line with our shared vision and in the best interest of our dear nation.”
Also, the House Speaker, Gbajabiamila, in his message said: “Mr. President, Nigeria, and Nigerians are proud of you. The way you have been steering the ship of the Nigerian state has been commendable.
A message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, said; “I, therefore, join millions of our compatriots to wish you a happy birthday and more years in good health.”
Equally felicitating with the President, former Governor of Abia State, and the Senate Chief Whip, Dr Orji Kalu described him as a rare leader with a strong passion for the growth and progress of Nigeria.
Kalu, who extolled the President’s virtues and personal attributes as the Nigerian leader, said he remains a role model for his contemporaries and the younger generation.
Senator Kalu noted that President Buhari has sustained his goodwill over the years with recognisable visionary leadership approach that has taken Nigeria to enviable heights.
Similarly, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, in his message, said the President deserved a fair judgment based on his track record in the last six years.
Hon Wase’s congratulatory message, endorsed by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Muhammad Puma, described President Buhari as “a patriotic, compassionate leader whose love for the nation and achievements will stand him out in the annals of Nigeria’s history”.
From Lagos State, Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that the President has made selfless and immense contributions to Nigeria’s unity, growth, and development over the years serving in different capacities.
A congratulatory message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, quoted the governor as saying; “You have contributed immensely to the unity, growth, and development of Nigeria right from your youthful days till date, having served in different capacities as Minister of Petroleum Resources, Head of State and currently, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.”
On his part, Governor Oyetola of Osun state said: “It is noteworthy to mention that, despite the challenges confronting us as a country, you have made remarkable and impactful contributions to the growth and development of the country.”
In a congratulatory message to the President by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Ismail Omipidan, in Oshogbo, the Osun state capital, the governor further said; “You have remained an incorruptible and honest leader.”
From the Labour Minister, Ngige, his congratulatory message described the President as a colossus who, upon crossing the Rubicon in 2015, retrieved Nigeria from a threatening morass, and set her on a fruitful march of socio-economic and political recovery.
The message from his Media Office in Abuja further stated thus; “The expansion of roads and railway infrastructure, illustrating the unambiguous commitment to national infrastructural rebirth, and summarised by the administration’s five legacy projects, viz: the Second Niger Bridge, now 80 per cent completed; the Lagos-Ibadan-Ilorin-Kaduna road; the East-West road; Abuja-Kaduna-Kano road and the Mambilla Project and more!”
