Peter Obi to Anyaoku at 90: Nigeria still needs you

Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria’s upcoming elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has congratulated former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, on his 90th birthday, Wednesday, January 18, 2023, pointing out to the elder statesman that Nigeria still needs his “experience and invaluable contributions for her to navigate the forthcoming elections and other governance issues challenging the country.”

In a tweet, Mr. Obi, who also acknowledged that Nigeria owes Chief Anyaoku “a debt of gratitude,” prayed for God to keep the celebrated Diplomat “healthy, agile and strong in the years ahead.”

Full text of the tweet reads:

It is a thing of joy for me to join your family, well-wishers, as well as your national and international friends in celebrating your landmark 90th birthday today, the 18th of January, 2023. I recall with exceeding joy, your long period of service to Nigeria and the international community which you discharged with the highest level of commitment and patriotism.

As the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations, you presented the image and identity of a true Nigerian, championing the cause of good governance and promoting the entrenchment of democracy throughout the Commonwealth and the world at large.

I recall too, how you fought doggedly for the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999 and for the military to disengage from governance, deploying your position as the Secretary-General of the influential British Commonwealth of Nations.

Nigeria owes Your Excellency a debt of gratitude. I have no doubt in my mind that Nigeria still needs your experience and invaluable contributions for her to navigate the forthcoming elections and other governance issues challenging the country.

Once again, congratulations on this joyous occasion. It is my prayer that the Almighty God continue to keep you healthy, agile and strong in the years ahead.