By Samuel Ohwovoriole
Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan says he has confidence in Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, as he was full of praises for the former Senate President and former Secretary to Government of the Federation, who marked his 60th birthday anniversary over the weekend in Abuja.
Jonathan described Anyim as an “an outstanding statesman and consummate politician.”
Speaking at the event, Jonathan, who congratulated Anyim for the gift of life to have joined the league of sexagenarians, described him as “an outstanding statesman and consummate politician.”
Jonathan said he enjoyed a very cordial relationship with Anyim as SGF under his Presidency and “I have so much confidence in him and I am convinced that he is loyal and committed to the success we recorded during my Presidency.”
Former Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and his former counterpart from Sokoto, Attahiru Bafarawa, said Anyim personifies the attitude of a detribalised Nigerian, who did not allow his ethno-religious orientation and political leaning to affect his service to the nation when he held sway as Senator and SGF.
Former Sokoto State Governor, Attahiru Bafarawa, who was present at the event said, “Despite our different ethnic backgrounds, Senator Anyim and I have remained family friends till date, not because of anything but because of his exceptional leadership qualities. I, therefore, wish you many years ahead,”.
The low-key 60th birthday party, grandiosely held inside the main living room of Anyim’s residence at Asokoro area of Abuja on Friday, February 19, 20201 got additional spice, becoming a double celebration of Anyim birthday and that of his wife, Chioma, who added another year a day earlier (February 18, 2021).
Anyim, thanked God, his family and associates for the show of love, according to him; “I considered it appropriate to mark my 60th birthday in appreciation of God for how far I havr come, noting, however, that “we decided not to make the birthday a big event, in line with Federal Government’s directive on observance of COVID-19 protocol.” he said.
He added that his commitment going forward was to use the rest of his life in serving humanity in whatever capacities God has destined for him within the socio-economic and political space.
Other eminent personalities who graced the birthday celebration include Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Vietnam, Mathias Okafor; Senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Michael Nnachi; Former Chairman, Police Service Commission, Chief Simon Okeke; Retired Rear Admiral Peter Ebhaleme, who described Anyim as “a man of integrity, honesty, details; an astute politician, administrator and leader of leaders.”
Also at the event were Bishop David Abioye of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (Gosehn, Abuja) and a businessman, Stanley Uzo-Chukwu, who described Anyim as a ‘Great motivator to the younger generation.”
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