18th January, 2023
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general elections and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described the former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku (GCVO, CFR, CON) as “a source of pride and joy to Nigeria.”
Tinubu said this in a goodwill message he sent to the elder statesman and former Minister of Foreign Affairs who attained age 90 today, 18th of January 2023.
The congratulatory message signed by his media aide Tunde Rahman on Wednesday also described Chief Anyaoku as an excellent career diplomat.
Tinubu commended the contributions of Anyaoku to “national development and global political and economic order through his leadership of the Commonwealth of Nations.
“It is noteworthy that during his time as secretary-general, Anyaoku led the 54 countries of the Commonwealth with distinction, courage and integrity.”
He described Anyaoku as a national hero for representing Nigeria on a global stage for many years without blemish.
“Chief Anyaoku is an international statesman, a distinguished Nigerian who served the global community as the secretary-general of the Commonwealth of Nations.
“He is an icon of public service whose records of impeccable contributions to Nigeria’s development and diplomacy deserve a special place in the archives for generations to come.
“At the Commonwealth office where he made his name as an international statesman, Anyaoku represented Nigeria well and for this, we are grateful to him as a country and people,” Tinubu said.
He prayed to God to give the elder stateman more grace to live for many more years.
He joined family, friends and associates of the renowned diplomat around the world to wish him a happy birthday.
Anyaoku was born on 18 January 1933 in Obosi, Anambra State, Nigeria