President Muhammadu Buhari says he is looking forward to retiring to his farm come 2023.
Buhari spoke on Friday in Istanbul, Turkey, where he marked his 79th birthday.
The president, who is in Istanbul for the Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit, said he would put in his best foot forward for Nigeria until he hands over to a successor.
“I thought that being away from Abuja I will escape these things. The Guards Brigade had written to tell me what they wanted to do on this day. Now here you are doing this far away from home,” Buhari was quoted as saying.
“I look forward to the year 2023 when I finish, to go home to take charge of my farm. Between now and that time, I will do the best that is possible to advance the interest of the nation and its people, and carry out my duties as prescribed by the Constitution.”
According to Garba Shehu, presidential spokesperson, the president was greeted by a “surprise lineup of the Nigerian delegation” with a cake decorated in Nigeria”s national colours when he stepped out of his suite for a meeting with officials of his delegation.
Geoffrey Onyema, minister of foreign affairs, who spoke on behalf of the delegation, and Ismail Abba, Nigeria’s ambassador to Turkey, congratulated the president on “the good work he is doing for the country”.
Meanwhile, David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, has also felicitated with Buhari on his birthday.
Umahi said the people of Ebonyi appreciates Buhari’s leadership qualities and that the “entire country was praying in solidarity to God for more strength and wisdom for the president as he advanced the cause of the nation”.
“We most profoundly felicitate with the father of our nation, President Muhammadu Buhari, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on this auspicious moment of his 79th birthday,” Umahi said.
“Your Excellency, we thank Almighty God for his grace upon you and the accomplishments of your age.
“We are deeply enthused to associate with your superlatively charming personal character and the discipline of your leadership.” (The Cable)
