President Bola Ahmed Tinubu today described his friend and ally, former President Muhammadu Buhari, as “an icon of truth, justice, and patriotism” and felicitated with him on his 81st birthday.
In a press release issued by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Tinubu extolled the “peerless leadership credentials and feats” of the former president, recalling his “meritorious service to the nation at various times as Head of State and as President.”
He reeled out Buhari’s “unparalleled record of infrastructural provision, comprising several new international airports, multiple standard-gauge railway lines, new seaport development, dozens of new dams, power stations, oil and gas infrastructure, expressways and mega-bridges, in addition to establishing Nigeria’s first ever national social investment and protection programme, amongst many other feats.”
Tinubu said he fondly recalled his predecessor’s “aggressive push to modernise Nigeria’s defence architecture while working towards import substitution with the empowerment of millions of Nigerian farmers in his progressive initiative to enhance food security in the country.”
The president also described Buhari as “the finest paradigm of sacrifice, devotion, patriotism, and fidelity to the national cause.”
He said: “President Buhari is from the rarest phylum of virtuous servant-leaders. He has devoted his life to the service of the nation, even earning himself detention for his patriotism and service to our fatherland.
“The emergence of leaders like my good friend, Buhari, happens only by divine orchestration.
“He is a man of absolute and undiluted integrity. His yea is yea, and his nay is nay.”
Tinubu further appreciated Buhari for his friendship and vote of confidence shown through his stalwart support for the administration.
While wishing the elder statesman longevity and strength, the president assured him that “the hope of a prosperous, peaceful, and progressive Nigeria, which he has always worked for, will not be dashed.”