By Chinyere Aruogu
President Muhammadu Buhari, former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu and the All Progressive Congress (APC) have lauded the giant stride the former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar has made in the country as he formally joins the octogenarian club on Friday, November 25.
Atiku was born in the old Gongola State, now Adamawa on Novembre25, 1946.
In his goodwill message to Atiku, Buhari said he admired the ex-vice president’s courage and was delighted to see him join the club of the 70s.
According to a statement by Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina in Abuja on Thursday, November 24, Buhari in a letter he personally signed stated that he had over the years admired Atiku’s courage.
The President said he was delighted to welcome Abubakar “to the 70s club,” and prayed that Allah would grant him “many more years of good health and service to Nigeria.”
The President added: “Over the years, I have admired your courage and doggedness in defending your interests and your generosity in promoting education. The American University in Yola is one of your noble legacies, and my hope and wish is that it will endure.”
Buhari said both himself and Atiku should be grateful to Allah, who has granted them grace to be in the 70s club, and also sent his “kind personal regards.”
On his part, former Governor of Lagos State and APC stalwart, Bola Tinubu, described the former Vice President as a man of faith, saying faith has kept him going and waxing strong.
In a letter Tinubu personally signed, he felicitated with Atiku on attaining the proverbial age of 70 and urged him to accept that “there is a tide in the affairs of men.”
In the letter Tinubu addressed Atiku as his dear brother.
He wrote: “I write to felicitate with you on the attainment of the proverbial age of three scores and ten, 70.
“Your life has been a life of service to your people, your country and the causes you believe in. Nigeria has been well served by your stewardship and leadership.
“Your steadfastness in walking the democratic path sets you apart as a leader with substance.
Your passion for education has seen you invest your time and resources in education, knowing full well that when you educate people, you educate a nation.
“You are a man of faith. Your faith has kept you going and kept you strong. I urge you to accept that there is a tide in the affairs of men.
“You must continue to serve Nigeria well even as a private citizen. And a notable leader.
Do not relent because Nigeria needs you and others like you to continue to make life more meaningful.
“We must continue to explore common grounds towards promoting the common good.
“I pray for a long life and continued good health for Turaki Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar.”
Also, the APC felicitated with Atiku Abubakar, saying he did a lot to deepen democracy in the country.
In a letter signed by the Party’s National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, the Turaki Adamawa was hailed for his solid contributions to the growth of the Party and entrenching democracy in the country.
The letter reads: “Our great Party, the All Progressives Congress celebrates with your Excellency on the occasion of your 70th birthday.
“The history of Nigeria is incomplete without copious reference to your immense contributions to the social, political and economic development of the country.
“Over the years, you have proven yourself as a democrat, de-tribalised leader, elder statesman, successful businessman, political icon and philanthropist.
“The Party particularly lauds your investment in the country’s education sector and other business ventures. These investments have touched lives positively and generated employment for many Nigerians.
“As a Party leader, the APC attests to your solid contributions to the growth of our great Party and entrenching democracy in the country.”
Atiku recently said he is the first person to reach the age of 70 in his family. He said so with nostalgia, but with full of gratitude to God.
Many had thought that Atiku going to roll out the drums to make merry, but according to family sources, he preferred to have a quiet ceremony with his immediate family as a way of further reflecting over his person and the purpose of his creation.
He was said to have even dissuaded friends from buying spaces in the newspapers to congratulate him, preferring rather that they donate the money to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps that litter everywhere in the North East.