President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Eleazar Chukwuemeka Anyaoku, on his 85th birthday.

The President’s greeting was conveyed in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

President Buhari congratulated all the professional colleagues, family members and friends of the highly resourceful diplomat.

He described him as an elder statesman whose resume on international diplomacy and community development continues to inspire and instruct on the power of discipline, focus and knowledge.

“As the first and so far the only African Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, the President affirms that Chief Anyaoku contributed seminally to Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, combining his thorough understanding of the peculiarities of the political structures, with his office and international network of friends to garner support for the country’s transition,” the statement read.

The President further commended Anyaoku’s unwavering patriotism and commitment to the unity and progress of his country.

According to him, the elder statesman has continued to contribute to national affairs, through formal and informal advice to presidents.

President Buhari said one of such contributions was chairing the meeting that led to the adoption of the Abuja Accord, by which all the presidential candidates in 2015 committed themselves and their political parties to non-violent campaigns and acceptance of the results in good faith.

He prayed that the Almighty God will grant Anyaoku, who is the Ichie Adazie of Obosi, longer life and more fruitful years to serve his country.