SAN FRANCISCO, March 05, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday had a telephone conversation with one of his predecessors, Olusegun Obasanjo, to felicitate with him on his 80th birthday.
This was as the President who has been on a health leave to the UK since January 19, also called Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State on the telephone stating that “all is well with him” and thanked the Governor for his support and prayers.
The President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, disclosed in a statement that his principal congratulated Obasanjo in a telephone call from London, “where he is convalescing”.
Buhari was quoted as telling the birthday boy that a time like this “provides opportunity to reflect on his invaluable roles and contributions to the unity and cohesion of Nigeria, the brotherhood of all Africans, as well as peace and amity over the globe”.
He described the former President as “a true citizen of the world”.
Recalling their days in the military, the President said, “Those of us who served under you in various capacities recall a man with boundless energy, with razor – sharp mind, and one who does not suffer fools gladly. Working with you was a school in itself, and the lessons learnt are worth their weight in gold.”
In his response, Obasanjo wished Buhari good health, saying he “stands together with him in prayers, so that he can return soon to continue the good work he is doing for the country”.
Meanwhile, a statement signed by the Director-General, Media and Publicity to the Kogi state Governor, Kingsley Fanwo, disclosed that Buhari in a telephone conversation with his boss said he was feeling fine.
Kogi State had last week joined other states to pray for Buhari’s quick recovery as thousands of Muslim and Christian faithful joined Governor Bello to pray for the President and the nation as a whole.
Fanwo explained that both leaders spoke for a couple of minutes during the interaction while the governor was coming from Abeokuta where he had attended the 80th birthday anniversary of Obasanjo and the inauguration of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
Fanwo stated that the conversation took place in the presence of the Speaker, Kogi State House of Assembly, Ahmed Imam, and a few other members of the House, commissioners and other top government functionaries, who accompanied Bello to Abeokuta.
“He (President Muhammadu Buhari) told the governor that he is observing rest and will return very soon to Nigeria to continue his assignment of providing purposeful leadership for the nation,” he said.
Fanwo added that the President thanked the Governor for his support and his leadership qualities in Kogi state.
