President Muhammadu Buhari has celebrated an elder statesman and administrator, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who will mark his 84th birthday on Wednesday.
The former Secretary General of Commonwealth was born in Obosi, Anambra state on 18th Jan. 1933.
A statement on Tuesday in Abuja by Mr. Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), President Buhari described Anyaoku as seasoned diplomat, elder statesman and administrator.
“The President joins the diplomatic community, the Anglican Church, where he served many years as a chorister, and Chief Anyaoku’s family and friends in celebrating the quintessential diplomat.’’
Anyaoku’s distinguished international career, he said, attracted many national and international laurels, especially after serving as the third Secretary General of the Commonwealth.
Buhari said: “ Anyaoku’s footprints as a teacher, who was renowned for being very articulate and meticulous, and diplomat, during whose stewardship as the Secretary General of the Commonwealth apartheid was peacefully replaced by non-racial democracy in South Africa, will remain indelible for posterity to cherish and emulate.’’
The President expressed appreciation for the “enduring relationship and wise counsel’’ he received from Anyaoku over the years.
He affirmed that Anyaoku’s title as the “Ichie Adazie of Obosi” was most apt as from early age he has shown a proclivity for ‘‘keeping, and doing things well’’ for his community, country and humanity.
Buhari prayed that God would grant the elder statesman more years of grace, good health and wisdom to serve Nigerian and humanity.
