President Goodluck Jonathan on Sunday reiterated his immense appreciation of Chief Tony Anenih’s steadfast dedication and commitment to peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan also applauded the elder statesman’s leadership qualities, courage and forthrightness.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and on my own behalf, I extend very warm felicitations to you as you turn 81.
“Your uncommon leadership qualities, courage, forthrightness, and evident faith in the peace, unity, progress, and prosperity of our dear nation have seen you remain one of Nigeria’s most highly respected political icons over the years.
“You have constantly given unstinting support to our Administration and patriotic service to the Fatherland. For this, we remain eternally thankful,” the President wrote.
He prayed that God Almighty will continue to bless Chief Anenih with many more years of fulfillment and enduring well-being.
The President has similarly written to congratulate Dr. (Mrs.) Stella Okoli on her 70th birthday, extolling her courageous life of uncommon accomplishments and selfless service to others.
“On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and on my own behalf, I extend very warm felicitations to you on the occasion of your landmark 70th birthday anniversary.
“Your life of uncommon accomplishments, lived with unwavering commitment to the highest ideals of diligence, selfless service, courage, and abiding faith, is an enduring source of pride and inspiration to generations of Nigerians – male and female.
“I join your family and friends in thanking Almighty God for your life and praying that He continues to protect and prosper you, even as He blesses you with robust health and many more years of abiding fulfillment,” President Jonathan wrote.
At the same time, Jonathan said he received with sadness, the news of the passing away of eminent academic and National Conference delegate, Prof. Muhammad Alkali.
The President commiserated with the bereaved family, leadership and delegates to the national conference as well as the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs which the deceased represented at the conference.
The statement read, “On behalf of himself and the Federal Government, President Jonathan commiserates with the Alkali family, the leadership and delegates to the National Conference, as well as Nigeria’s Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, which the late Prof. Alkali represented at the National Conference.
“As they mourn the highly respected Professor, President Jonathan urges his family, friends, associates and colleagues at the National Conference to be consoled by the knowledge that he lived a very fulfilled life of patriotic service to his community and country.
“The President believes that although Prof. Alkali has sadly passed away before the conclusion of the work of the National Conference, the nation will always owe him a debt of gratitude for his worthy contributions to the conference, as well as for his distinguished service on several other national assignments, including: Vice-Chancellor, University of Maiduguri, Director-General, National
Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies and member, Presidential Committee on Insecurity in the North East.
“He prays that God Almighty will comfort all who mourn Prof. Alkali and grant his soul peaceful eternal rest.”
The Secretariat of the National Conference on Saturday had announced Alkali’s death .
He was one of the six delegates representing the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs at the 2014 National Conference in Abuja.
A statement by the Assistant Secretary, Media and Communications of the conference, Mr. Akpandem James, said Alkali died in his residence in Maiduguri on Friday night at the age of 68.
A Professor of History and two-term Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri (1985 – 1992), the late Alkali was Director General of the Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) and Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee under the administration of General Sani Abacha.
