President Muhammadu Buhari celebrates 80th birthday in official presidential jet; appreciates outpouring of good wishes


On December 17, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, the president of Nigeria, became 80 years old.

The president made the decision not to celebrate his birthday and decided to fixed his flight on that same day to avoid celebration but rather his staff arranged something different in the sky, this time to try something new. The president shared pictures of him cutting his birthday cake in the official presidential jet during his birthday celebration. Buhari also appreciates the many well-meaning Nigerians, such as Governor Ortom of Benue State, who sent him birthday greetings on account of his 80th birthday. According to the tweet:

“I’m grateful for the outpouring of good wishes for my 80th birthday. I tried to avoid having to celebrate, by fixing our return journey from the United States on that day, but I didn’t quite succeed. I give thanks to the Almighty for the gift of life,and the opportunity to serve.”

On Monday, President Muhammadu Buhari joked that his staff had refused to grant him his request for a peaceful birthday. In order to miss the celebration, the President said:

“I fixed the return flight from America on the day.”

But in a statement provided by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, the jubilant Buhari expressed gratitude for the numerous cards and good wishes he received for his 80th birthday.

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In a lighthearted tone, he (Buhari) claimed that the staff had rejected his request for a quiet day, adding, “I fixed the return journey from America on the day to escape the celebration,” according to the statement.

A birthday is nothing more than just another day at work, President Buhari said in a speech to Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff, Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and a small group of other personal staff who gathered at the Residence in the morning “to make the President’s birthday an occasion to remember.”

The Chief of Staff read aloud the card that was signed by the personal staff and which said as follows:

“We wish a deserving leader, the father of the country, and our own father a happy birthday on behalf of the entire personal team as well as myself.”

“Your Excellency received praise from both your own peers and the head of the international community at the recently ended American-African Leaders Summit.

“We are proud of Your Excellency and grateful for the opportunity to serve Your Excellency with respect and abiding loyalty.”

President Buhari waded across the room, reading one card after the other and thereafter ordered everyone back to the office: “Back to Work,” he said, as he led the way to his office building.

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He participated in meetings and other duties throughout the working hours in the office.


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