Nigeria's Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar Celebrates Turning 69 On Wednesday

by Benson Agoha | Celebrity

"Education truly can change a person’s story, it gave me everything. Whatever happens, get an education." - Atiku Abubakar

Former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar turned 69 on Wednesday and celebrated with friends, family and well wishers.

But for a man who will be 70 in a year's time, the former Deputy Director of the Nigeria Customs Service, and co-founder of the American University based in Adamawa State, who does not hide his love for education, looked every inch, a fit young man.

For Vice President Atiku Abubakar, surrounded by his family and
friends as  he cuts his birthday cake. (Credit: Today's Gist.)

The former vice President, use the occasion of his birthday to remember and pay tribute to late Obafemi Awolowo's wife, Yeye HID Awolowo (also late), with whom he had always shared his birthdays.

Tweeting his tribute, he said "I used to share my birthday with you, Ma, and it was a privilege knowing you. Yeye HID Awolowo, sun re (rest in peace)."
 

Atiku Abubakar, who served with President Olusegun Obasanjo as the second elected Vice-President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, has contested several elections since leaving office. 

 

And for those who have known him over the years, his unique features and broad smiles were still very much the same.

Five days earlier, he had played host to the new British Ambassador to Nigeria, Paul T Arkwright, (below) and revealed that both of them had "Great conversations on moving our countries forward."

* Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar shakes hands with Paul Arkwright,
the new British High Commissioner to Nigeria. (Credit: Via Twitter)

 His pledge on his 69th birthday, according to Vanguard Newspapers is to boost democracy and education.

“I get enduring joy from seeing my people empowered with jobs, skills, income and opportunities through my investment,’’ Vanguard quoted him as saying.

“Gifted children, regardless of their parental background, are also afforded opportunity to better their fortune in the university" he said in an interview, adding “The university not only helps students acquire first rate degrees, but promotes entrepreneurship courses to meet the challenges of the present Nigerian realities. ‘’

* Family and Friends presenting the former Vice President
with birthday gifts and cards. (Credit: Today's Gist).

 

* Family and Friends presenting the former Vice President
with birthday gifts and cards. (Credit: Today's Gist).

* With Paul T Arkwright, British Ambassador to Nigeria.