Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Ex-Director-General, Voice of Nigeria, Mr Osita Okechukwu,   have congratulated ex-president Muhammadu Buhari at 81. 

Mr Sanwo-Olu, in a congratulatory message on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, described the former president as a consistent and transparent leader, throughout his public career.

He said that Mr Buhari provided honest and transparent leadership in Nigeria during his tenure as head of state from 1983 to 1985 and civilian president for two consecutive terms.

The governor said that Mr Buhari’s unblemished record in public service, especially as a military governor, minister of petroleum services, head of state and president made him a role model to many Nigerians.

He described the immediate past president as a courageous and passionate leader, whose commitment to the growth and development of Nigeria was worthy of emulation.

Mr Sanwo-Olu stated, “On behalf of my family, the government and people of Lagos State, I congratulate former president Muhammadu Buhari on the occasion of his 81 years birthday. He has sacrificed the greater part of his life in service of our dear country, as a military officer and public office holder.

“Former president Muhammadu Buhari contributed immensely to Nigeria’s unity, growth and development right from his youthful days, till he bowed out of office as president on May 29, 2023, having served Nigeria passionately in different capacities as Minister of Petroleum Resources, Head of State and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

”During his tenure as President of Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, ex-President Buhari demonstrated unparalleled leadership skills, patriotism, integrity and courage in steering the ship of Nigeria. Now that he is retired after serving the country for many years with an unblemished record, I urge the former president not to be tired of contributing to the country. We believe his contribution will remain invaluable as an elder statesman and patriotic leader.’’

Also, Okechukwu, a foundation member of the All Progressives Congress, recalled in a message on Sunday in Enugu State, how Buhari raised a marshal plan to confront the challenge of food security in the country, regretting that insurgency slowed down the drive to make Nigeria the food basket of Africa.

 
“It is with gratitude to Almighty God that we celebrate and proclaim a hearty happy birthday cheer to our icon, former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR on his 81 years on earth.

 “As we, the Buhari loyalists, wish him healthier and fruitful years ahead, we recognise that his birthday is the appropriate time to recount his pro-people policies, his resistance to World Bank’s anti-peoples policies, even as military head of state.

“Billions of naira in bail-out funds were granted to state governments, social investment programmes, reduction of infrastructural deficit and the famous Buhari’s unprecedented agrarian revolution to enhance Nigerians prosperity.

 “We, the Buhari loyalists, make bold to state that because of his passion for food security he invested more than any other Federal Government in agriculture post 1970. Regrettably, we lament the truism that palpable insecurity diminished his quest for food security as his credo was, “we must produce what we eat,” he said. 

Mr Okechukwu also appealed to President Bola Tinubu, to continue with some of Buhari’s laudable programmes, particularly his agrarian revolution.

 “These programmes include the Green Imperative Programme designed to mechanise agriculture nationwide and Anchor Borrowers Programme under whatever nomenclature.

  “We are happy that President Tinubu promised to continue with our icon’s initiatives, because that is a befitting way to honour the image of this great Nigerian who loves the poor and cares for the nation,” he added. 

Besides, the APC also felicitated with the ex-president. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said this in a statement in Abuja.

It added, “The APC heartily felicitates with former President Muhammadu Buhari on the auspicious occasion of his 81st birthday anniversary. Legendary for his unparalleled integrity, incorruptibility and uncanny dedication to nation building, we celebrate a visionary leader, elder statesman, patriot and democrat.

“Your Excellency’s progressive proclivity and commitment to rescuing our dear nation from the precipice factored in the historic merger that birthed our great party. With you as the pioneer presidential candidate in 2015, the party ousted the incumbent and coasted home to a resounding victory,” Mr Morka said.
He said as a two-term president, Buhari did a commendable job of cleaning up the system and laid an enduring foundation for the development and greatness of the country.

Mr Morka expressed optimism that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the APC-led administration would consolidate on the legacies of Buhari’s administration.

“On behalf of the APC’s National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Working Committee and stakeholders of our great party, we pray for long life and excellent health for our dear former President, Muhammadu Buhari, as he continues to contribute to the development of our country and growth of our great party,” he said. 

(NAN)