Buhari releases 74 pigeons to celebrate 74th birthday

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday marked his 74th birthday anniversary by releasing 74 pigeons, and observing a special parade and inspection of the guard of honour mounted by the Nigerian Army.

The low-key event, which took place at the fore-court of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, witnessed the Inspection of Guard by the president.

The guard brigade, headed by Musa Yusuf, the commander, brigade of guards, also performed a special birthday silent drills, accompanied with special military birthday song in honour of the president.

President Buhari also cut a cake and released 74 pigeons from a cage as part of the activities marking the anniversary.

President Buhari also signed birthday anniversary register where he wrote: “I am impressed with the special drills presented by the Guard Brigade”.

Service chiefs, Ibrahim Idris, inspector general of police; some ministers, including Lai Mohammed and Muhammad Bello of the FCT; Abba Kyari, chief of staff to the president; Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, presidential spokesmen, attended the event.

Gabriel Olonishakin, the chief of defence staff, who briefly spoke with state house correspondents, congratulated the president on his 74th anniversary.

“We are celebrating with the President and we wish him well and good health. We wish him all the goodness of God as he pilots the affairs of our nation to greater heights,” he said.

Tukur Buratai, the chief of army staff,who also spoke to the correspondents, described President Buhari as “a great man and we are very pleased with his accomplishments over the years.

“He is a good leader”.