By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

Former President of the Senate, Anyim Pius Anyim, has pledged to work towards sustaining the unity of Nigeria for the rest of his life.

Anyim said this when he spoke at his 61st birthday celebration in Abuja on Saturday, condemning the killing of eight Abia cattle dealers.

“I want to reassure my countrymen and women that as I turn 61, I will commit the rest of my days in pursuit of peace and progress in this country. Nigeria must be great again,” he said.

Ayim, who called for a minute silence in honor of the victims, described the killing as “dastardly and condemnable, urging all Nigerians to leave in peace with one another.

“We must live in peace and in safety in this land. It is a commitment that all of us irrespective of your religion, irrespective of your geographical location, irrespective of your party affiliation.

“We must commit to building a peaceful and secure nation which we shall be proud of,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dignitaries including President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Goodluck Jonathan attended the event which drew Nigerians from all walks of life.

In his speech, Buhari, represented by Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) lauded Ayim’s contributions to the development of the country, describing him as a patriotic Nigerian who always puts the nation first and a stabilising voices in the of Nigeria.

“This he has demonstrated in a number of times, but the one that stands out and still echoes with me was his insistence that elected officers should always stay a single term.

“He kept to his word by not seeking for re-election to the Senate, after the expiration of his first term as Senator and Senate President in 2003.

“That many Nigerians cutting across various political divides are gathered here today to celebrate you is a glowing testimony of your contributions to the growth of our nation and its political development,” he said.

Also, Jonathan commended the leadership qualities of the former SGF and expressed confidence on his ability to serve the country in a higher position.

He described Ayim as man with good managerial skills, saying he was the engine room of his administration.

Jonathan said that he never received complaint against Ayim or regretted appointing him as the SGF under his administration.

He said that the number of Nigerians that gathered at the International Conference Centre to celebrate Anyim was a demonstration of trust Nigerians had for him.

“You were the Senate President when I was the governor of Bayelsa state and I remembered you visited me in the house one day.

“Of course by divine providence, you became the engine of my government as my Secretary to government of the Federation,” he said.

Narrating how Ayim became SGF, Jonathan said that Ayim visited his house with a lot of dreams canvassing to be the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, but he never became the chairman.

Jonathan said that when his administration was looking for SGF and he found Ayim a worthy Nigerian who had experience in managing systems, managing issues and also somebody who had friends across the country.

“We zoned the Secretary to the Government to the South-East. We looked at our brothers and sisters, the characters, and they were very nice people.

“They had many competent people but let me say that it’s like a lot it fell on Anyim and we made him the Secretary to the Government.

“ I do not regret committing him. He is a very hard working young man, committed to serving this nation and I believe if he has the opportunity to serve more, he can do better.

“Today, we are celebrating a young man but you are getting old now.

“At 61 years, you are no longer very young but you are willing to serve and as somebody who has served at the parliament as a Senate President, at the executive level as the SGF, it is quite tasking.

“Having served in that position (SGF) for the period, I know he is fully baked and I didn’t received too many complaints.

“You know as a President, everday you receive complains from those who work for you- the ministers, your aides, advisers, assistants and so on. I didn’t receive too many complains about Anyim,” Jonathan said.

Former Vice President, Namadi Sambo also commended the leadership qualities of Ayim saying that he was able to stabilise the Senate during his tenure as Senate President saying that Nigeria must be grateful for that.

“He was a team player who worked towards a prosperous nation. He can be trusteed with higher political responsibility in the future,” Sambo said.

Former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Bello Adoke described Anyim as a team player.

“He is humble leader that is always ready to take on any task for the good of his country.”

Also speaking, former Abia governor, Sen. Theodore Orji, said at 61, Anyim has a lot to give to his fatherland.

“If you look at the age you will know that God has not finished with him,” he stated.

Former Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State, also lauded Ayim’s contributions to the nation’s development.

Kwankwaso, represented by Mr Mohammed Jango said haven served as Senate President and SGF, Ayim has demonstrated capability to serve in higher capacity.

Other dignitaries at the event included former Gov. Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto State, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, Venatius Ikem, retired Col. Bala Mande, Sen. Sanusi Dagash and Sen. Dino Melaye. (NAN)

•Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim

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