By Teddy Nwanunobi
Abuja (Sundiata Post) — President Muhammadu Buhari, who is currently on extended medical vacation in London, United Kingdom, has congratulated the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, on the occasion of his 60th birthday on his Twitter handle.
Buhari particularly described Osinbajo as “a running mate-turned friend”.
“60 hearty cheers for @ProfOsinbajo, running mate turned partner in service to Nigeria; and friend. Happy Birthday, Professor!” Buhari wrote.
The President’s wife, Aisha Buhari, also congratulated Osinbajo on her Facebook page.
“On the occasion of the birthday of Your Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, Ag. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish to extend my congratulations to you and to state that the years you have spent building your reputation in multiple capacities have today resulted in your ability to carry out your duties in line with the manifesto of the All Progressives Congress to ensure that a better Nigeria is realised.
“Congratulations and Happy Birthday Prof,” she wrote.
This is even as the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, has congratulated Osinbajo on his 60th birthday, saying that his birthday has come at a momentous time this year.
Osinbajo, who turned 60 on Wednesday, was surprised by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) members, who made it very memorable for him.
In a brief interview with the State House correspondents shortly, after he cut his birthday cake with the ministers at the end of the Council meeting, which he presided at the Presidential Villa.
He attributed his new age and other favour from God to what he called “the work of grace.”
Osinbajo said he was appreciative to God for being healthy and for giving him the grace to serve the country.
“Frankly speaking, there is no difference between today and yesterday. It is really a work of grace.
“It is worth thanking God that one is 60 and one is in good health and that one is able to serve one’s country.
“I am happy and fulfilled. I am thankful to God,” Osinbajo said.
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh, coordinated the cake-cutting session.
He commended Osinbajo on the way he has been carrying out his official duties, describing the acting president as loyal to his principal and unassuming.
Earlier, the ministers and other members of the FEC, had treated Osinbajo to a birthday song when he arrived for the Council’s weekly meeting at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
While the song was going on, the Acting President’s picture, with the inscription, “Happy Birthday”, was displayed on the giant screen, and the smaller ones inside the hall.
At the end of the song, Osinbajo thanked council members for their good wishes.
He prayed that members who are below 60 will grow to become 60, while those already above 60 will grow to become 120.
On his way out of the Council Chambers, journalists covering the State House also sang a happy birthday song, and asked him how old he was.
Osinbajo, who was forced to stop abruptly, responding with a song, also said that he was 60 years old.
Earlier at his official residence, Akinola Aguda House, family members had joined Osinbajo to cut his birthday cake, and thank God for sparing his life.
He and his wife later sang a special thanksgiving song assisted by a pianist.
In his congratulatory message to Osinbajo, Tinubu described him as “a consummate team player, who does not seek individual accolades, but one, who without personal notoriety or fanfare, does his best to advance the policies and interests of the government in which you serve”.
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