President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday expressed appreciation for the many cards and well-wishes he received for his 80th birthday.
He said however, in a jocular manner, that his wish for a quiet day had been denied by the staff, adding that: “I fixed the return journey from America on the day to avoid the celebration.”
According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, addressing Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the chief of staff, Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and a handful of other personal staff who gathered at the residence in the morning “to make the President’s birthday an occasion to remember,” President Buhari said a birthday is no more than just another day in the office.
In a fitting tribute on behalf of the personal staff, the chief read aloud the card signed by them which states thus:
“On behalf of the entire staff of the personal staff and myself, we say ‘Happy Birthday’ to a worthy leader, father of the nation and our own father.
“Your Excellency was a star at the recently-concluded American-African Leaders Summit- recognition by your own peers and the leader of the international community.
