The head of the executive arm of government, President Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President Bukola Saraki, the Chairman of the National Assembly as well as his counterpart, House speaker Yakubu Dogara of the legislative arm, were all born in December, so was Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Nkanu Onnoghen. Similarly, Governor Abubabakar Sani Bello of Niger state, Mr Nyessom Wike, the River state governor and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara state were also born on the 12th month of the Gregorian calendar as SAMSON BENJAMIN narrates in this report.
The month of December is unique in a lot of ways. Aside the fact that it is the last month of the year, it also provides the opportunity for people to reflect on their lives during the year. But what day is more appropriate to reflect on one’s sojourn on earth than his birthday?
Coincidentally, the birthdays of key political and government figures in this administration fall in this month. In fact, the birthdays of all the heads of the executive, legislative and Judicial arms of government fall between 17th to 22nd of December.
First on this enviable list is President Muhamadu Buhari who clocked 75 years on December 17th, 2017. As expected, the celebration was low-key as the president cancelled the planned special parade in his honour. However, the number one citizen was given a giant birthday card by his aides and friends, led by his Chief Staff, Malam Abba Kyari, who gathered at the Presidential Villa to mark the special day.
Encomiums galore for Mr President
From all walks of life, Nigerians fell over themselves to congratulate Buhari on his special day. First, Vice president Yemi Osinbajo led the pack as he wished his boss a happy birthday. In a tweet, Professor Osinbajo had described his principal as a dependable leader and that Buhari’s committment to Nigeria serves as an example to him and the nation at large.
Thereafter, the floodgate of praises opened as governors, state and federal legislators, including party chieftains as well as elder statesman eulogized Buhari on his birthday.
Specifically, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, like many state chief executives, also congratulated the president on his 75th birthday. In a statement signed by Alhaji Musa Elayo, his Chief Press secretary, Al-Makura had described Buhari as a man of uncommon credibility and integrity who came to rescue Nigeria from the brink of collapse and hopelessness.
In addition, the governor commended the President for his effort and commitment to carrying out the much needed cleansing of the country of corruption and other social vices.
In the same vein, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State congratulated Buhari for his steadfastness in creating a better and more respectable Nigeria. According to him, the president remains a “shining light and an unbeatable example for transparency and accountability”.
The governor admitted that “I am learning a lot from President Muhammadu Buhari. He is an honest and transparent leader who is selfless, focused and dedicated to the greatness of our dear nation.’’
In addition, Bello reminded Nigerians that the president had defended the country ‘’in a military uniform and he is defending the integrity of Nigeria now with his incorruptible nature and commitment to fighting corruption.’’ The governor, in the same breath, also said that Nigerians adore Buhari for his humility, modesty and honesty.
On his part, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the Sokoto state governor, said that Buhari has paid his dues in the Nigerian polity, and prayed to God to continue to bless the life of the President. According to him, attaining 75 years in life calls for thanks giving and expression of gratitude to God and to this end, Tambawal expressed gratitude that God for blessing the president with long life and good health. “No doubt, the President has proven himself to be a leader of high ethics and morality. We in Sokoto State join all Nigerians in wishing the President a happy birthday,” Tambuwal said.
Significantly, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, in a statement issued by his media aide, urged Nigerians to pray for Buhari on his 75th birthday. Buhari, according to him, is an elder statesman who has continued to pay his dues in service to the nation. In addition, the deputy senate president expressed gratitude to God for restoring the
President’s health
However, not all the birthday wishes were sugar-coated as some laced their messages with jabs against the president. Specifically, Mr Ayodele Fayose, the Ekiti state governor, advised Buhari to give Nigerians a birthday gift by retiring from politics considering his age and fragile health. Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti sate capital, Fayose said the president had served the nation to be best of his ability in spite of his age.
According to him, “I wish him the best. He represents us all and we owe him prayers and co-operation where necessary, just as we also need to criticise him too where necessary.” Fayose, a fierce critic of the Buhari government, said that the nation needs an experienced and agile president in 2019.
Similarly, former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode echoed Fayose. In a tweet, the ex minister had described President Buhari as a disaster, insisting that he resigns from office for the good of Nigerians. According to him, “I congratulate Buhari on his 75th birthday even though I disagree with him on virtually everything and I deplore his agenda and ways.’’
Pre-birthday celebrations for Dogara
Born December 26, 1967, House Speaker Yakubu Dogora turned 50 on boxing day, a day after Christmas. Specifically, the birthday fell on a public holiday but the speaker of House of Representatives, had started celebrating since December 17.
On that day, a novelty football match was organized between House members and titans in the Organised Private Sector at Abuja’s Green Pitch. Dignitaries that witnessed the match included former House Speaker Tambawal, Senator Dino Melaye and Alhaji Aliko Dangote, as well as Mr Femi Otedola, including Chief Oscar Onyeama and so many others. On the D day, Dogara’s biography titled, ‘’A Reed made Flint,’’ which was written by Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation Magazine was presented on 26th December and over N300 million was realised during the book launch.
According to Dogara, all proceeds realized from both the novelty football match and book launch will be donated to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), particularly those from the Northeast region where he comes from.
Special prayer marks Saraki’s birthday
On Tuesday, December 19th, Senate President Bukola Saraki clocked 55 years on earth and the number three man in the country spent it at Ilorin, the Kwara state capital and his hometown. Before jetting out of Abuja, Deputy Senate president Ekweremadu, his aides and some legislators, including his wife Tosin, were at the National Assembly complex to help Saraki cut his birthday cake.
Thereafter, Saraki relocated to Ilorin, where a special prayer session, led by Sheik Mohammed Bashir Solihu, was organized at his residence. Similarly, the senate president awarded scholarships to 73 students who bagged first class degrees form various universities. At night, he held a dinner for the beneficiaries and their parents.
Earlier, President Buhari had described Saraki, as one of the most influential politicians in the country. In his goodwill message to Saraki, Buhari said that the senate president has made tremendous impact on the country.
According to the president, Saraki has successfully kept the memory of his late father alive by identifying with the grassroots in his home state. While wishing the senate president many more prosperous years ahead, Buhari had called for closer cooperation between the executive and the legislature to ensure the smooth implementation of government’s policies and programmes. Buhari pointed out that despite the principle of separation of powers, both arms of government should be united in the promotion of the common good of the people. According to the president, whatever differences that might occasionally arise between the two branches of government should not be allowed to compromise their common goals of promoting the greater progress and development of Nigeria.
Governor Bello’s wrap-around
Like Buhari, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state was born on December 17 but there is a 25 years difference between them. The governor, like Speaker Dogara, turned 50 on the aforesaid date but like the politician that he is, the Niger state helmsman announced his birthday with the president’s in a golden newspaper wrap-around, covering the front and back pages.
Similarly, Governor Sani- Bello also marked his 50th birthday with a novelty match at the Minna sports club.
According to reports, his Chief of Staff, Hon. Mikail Al-Amin, Alhaji Mohammed Nma Kolo, project Coordinator Youth Empowerment and Babujee Mohammed Usman, Director-General Diaspora and several volunteers featured in the novelty football match in honour of the governor.
Wike’s controversial birthday
Like Saraki, Wike started his birthday celebrations on a spiritual note, when he held a thanks giving . His wife, Justice Suzette, his cabinet members and political associates and friends all gathered at the at their family chapel.
Specifically, Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba state, former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and the new chairman, Prince Uche Secondus attended the service.
However, Wike’s birthday seems to be overshadowed by a controversy surrounding his true date of birth.
There are allegations that the documents he submitted to Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in 2015, contradicts the 50 years that he is celebrating. According to reports, Wike claimed that he was born on March 13, 1963 when he filed INEC nomination forms in 2015. Going by that submission, Wike turned 54 in March 2017, not 50 on December 13 2017 as he now claims.
No birthday messages for Onnoghen
Ironically, Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of Nigeria turned 67 on 22 December, 2017 but neither the president, nor state governors issued a statement to congratulate him.
Similarly, neither a birthday card nor a novelty football match was given to him nor organised in his honour. Maybe, a few friends and family members gathered and toasted to his achievement, long life and good health. Out of power, the birthdays of President Buhari, senate president Saraki and House speaker Dogara as well as governor Sani-Bello and Wike will also be hardly remembered, let alone celebrated as they were done now.
