Buhari, Obasanjo, Abdusalami, Others Congratulates Ambassador Shehu Malami on His 80th Birthday

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday joined other eminent Nigerians to congratulate the country's former Ambassador to South Africa, Shehu Malami (Sarki Sudan of Wurno), who commemorate his 80th birthday anniversary.

Buhari in his speech read at the venue of event said: "As you reach the age of 80 with your contributions to governance, politics and diplomacy, let me add my prayers to Allah to grant you good health in the years ahead.”

Similarly, Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on his part said: "You can access the character, the attributes and quality of the man Shehu Malami. These collections of speeches are a clear portrayal of him and how he carried out his mandate as a traditional ruler, even in banking sector, the industry and as an ambassador."

Chairman of the Occasion, former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar (rtd), in his remarks, said: "Your 80 years have been very useful and has impacted positively in the nation and on African continent.

Abubakar, while speaking further at the event held in Abuja, said: "My contact with the celebrant started way back in the 1950's, since when we have maintained regular contact that reached the peak during his role as Nigeria's principle representative to the republic of South Africa."

According to him, “He made it possible for me to have the privilege of addressing the South African parliament in Cape Town, even as a military Head of State.”

He added that the celebrant helped placed Nigeria appropriately in the political history of South Africa before and after independence.

"Late Nelson Mandela, said: ‘Mr President I can assure you South Africa is not going to contest the seat of permanent representative in the UN when the time comes. With his hard work and that of his successors, Nigeria and South African bi-lateral relation are waxing stronger despite some occasional hiccups."

Speaking further, the former head of state said: "This is the book launch on the life and times of our dear friend, a businessman, constitutional expert and diplomat per excellence.

"I therefore crave your kind indulgence to generously purchase the book as he, over the years, has stood for the upliftment of humanity, whether in the traditional domain, the boardroom, industry, governance or diplomacy. He provides viable edition to the writings on Nigerian history, business and diplomacy.”

Also, Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, in his remarks, said: "We the people of the state say Allahanbudulahi for giving us this special gift of today’s celebrant

"We highlighted the prince of the caliphate, whom by the time you encounter him, you will know he is full of humility, he is not in any way associated with arrogance. The man has so many accomplishments in life, from traditional leadership to the boardroom to politics to diplomacy to commerce.

"To summarise it all, I would say he is a man of many parts. Today’s gathering which marks the grand finale of the event is a clear testimony to this fact. People from all parts of the globe have left what they were doing to be here to honor this man who deserves this honor.”

The celebrant, Shehu Malami, in his speech, said: "I used this opportunity to thank Almighty Allah for sparing my life in good health and the ability to come here to celebrate my birthday.

"If I were to go over things I have done, the experiences that I have benefited from my parents, from Alhamdu Bello, I will go on and on."

Malami disclosed that he was seven years old when Sir Sadiq Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto lll, his elder brother took him away from his father and enrolled him through elementary school. "So from that age of seven, Sultan Abubakar molded the man that I have become in life.”