President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday, clocked 79 with a surprise birthday organised for him in Istanbul, Turkey.

At the ocassion, the president promised to promote the interest of Nigerians, and the nation, as he gets ready to leave office in May 2023.

On a lighter note, he remarked that he is eager to return to his farm in Daura, to concentrate on his crops and livestock.

According to a statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, the president cut a birthday cake that was dressed in the national colours, green-white-green, to start the day.

Immediately after, Buhari left to chair a planning meeting with officials in his delegation. Thereafater, he drove to the Dolmabahce Palace for a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Tayyip Recep Erdogan.

Garba Shehu disclosed that as the president stepped out of his suite heading for the meeting room, he met a surprise lineup of the Nigerian delegation with a cake decorated in Nigeria’s national colours.

The group broke into a chorus, as they began chanting: “Happy Birthday, Mr. President.”

Following this, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama delivered a tribute on behalf of the ministers and the rest of the delegation, and also the Ambassador of Nigeria to Turkey, Ismail Yusuf Abba. He congratulated the president on the good work he is doing for the country, and wished him a happy birthday, many healthy years ahead and the energy to give his best to the nation.

Onyeama noted, specifically, that the president had continued to have a good run with his health, getting better and more active with time.

He wished him a happy birthday, many healthy years ahead, and the energy to give his best to the nation.

Responding to the tribute, President Buhari said he would put in his best for Nigeria until the last day when -in 2023, he hands over to a successor.

“I thought that being away from Abuja I will escape these things. The Guards Brigade had written to tell me what they wanted to do on this day. Now here you are doing this far away from home.” said President Buhari about the surprise birthday celebration.

“I look forward to the year 2023 when I finish, to go home to take charge of my farm. Between now and that time, I will do the best that is possible to advance the interest of the nation and its people, and carry out my duties as prescribed by the Constitution.”

President Buhari is currently in Istanbul to participate in the Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit.

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