October 19, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed warm felicitations to former Head of State Yakubu Gowon on his 87th birthday.
The president in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, rejoiced with Gowon and his family for “grace for good health and strength to keep serving.”
Buhari also congratulated Gowon on the formidable role he continues to play in the development of the country, “always advocating peace and unity, and consistently remaining a voice of reason and wisdom in good governance and democracy.”
As the former head of state turns 87, President Buhari noted, with commendation and gratitude, “the statesmanship of the Convener and National Chairman of ‘Nigeria Prays’, whose vision for a greater country resonates in the programmes he instituted in the 70’s like the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), creation of states and the Reconciliation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation project, which has turned a reference for harmony.”
The president said he believes that good fortune continues to guide Gowon, starting out as a career soldier, the youngest military Chief of Staff and youngest Head of State, before becoming a professor of political science and founder of the Yakubu Gowon Centre, an organisation that continues to support issues of good governance, infectious disease control, HIV/AIDS and malaria.
He joined family, friends and Nigerians in praying for a longer life for the visionary leader.
