Buhari congratulates his former Minister, David-West, Mbang at 80

ABUJA—President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated his former Minister of Petroleum Resources during his days as military Head of State, Professor Tamunoemi Sokari David-West, who clocked 80 years old yesterday.

 The President also extended a congratulatory message to former Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Sunday Mbang who also turned 80 yesterday.

 In a congratulatory message by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, to David-West, the President recalled with fond memories his long term relationship with the former Minister, who served him between 1984 and 1985, and described West as an eminent academic and elder statesman.

 “West’s steadfastness and forthrightness on issues of good governance, democracy, human rights and the unity of Nigeria, especially when some seem to easily give up on the project of building one, great nation,’’ he said. President Buhari assured the “octogenarian that his place in Nigeria’s history is guaranteed for the statesmanship, fearlessness, intellectual depth, resourcefulness and versatility that he brought into public discourse.

” The President prayed that the almighty God would continue to grant the former minister good health and more fruitful years of service to his fatherland.

 Also yesterday, President Buhari joined the Christian community to celebrate the 80th birthday of Prelate Emeritus, Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Sunday Coffie Mbang.

 In a statement from the State House, Abuja, the President congratulated Mbang, and members of his family, as he clocked the milestone age in good health and a rich legacy of a life lived in the service of God, his nation and humanity.

 “As a former Prelate of the Methodist Church and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, the President believes the legacy of the former prelate of always working towards reconciliation, reconstruction and revival in all leadership positions, aptly captures the central message of the Bible, which is love,’’ the President said. He assured the former Prelate that his efforts in pursuing unity in the body of Christ and the country would always be remembered by posterity, especially in co-chairing Nigeria’s Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, a government body responsible for the promotion of inter-faith dialogue.

 The President also commended the Mbang’s courage in always speaking out against tyranny, corruption and social ills such as immorality, cultism and drug abuse in the country.