By Our Reporter
Apparently overwhelmed by the mammoth crowd that graced the celebrations of his 61st birthday, Anyim Pius Anyim, a presidential hopeful, confessed, saying “I was actually stunned by the turn out at the event marking the celebration of my 61st birthday.” He remarked that the intention of of celebrating his 61st birthday was to make up for the celebration of his 60th birthday which was slowed down by Covid restrictions. But he maintained that he was really overwhelmed by even the encomium and praises poured on him by eminent personalities who graced the occasion, saying, “I can’t find the words to express my joy today”.Explaining the circumstances surrounding the celebration of this year’s birthday, he said, “I turned 60 on the 19th of February last year. My family had planned to celebrate my 60th birthday in a big way but the Covid 19 pandemic got in the way. So we could only invite a few close family friends to our home for a quiet cake cutting event and visits to orphanage homes”. He however noted that he never thought that 61years was such a significant number to call for a big celebration.
But he however admitted that given the season we are in, his friends and his Greater Nigeria 2023 Project Team, a group working for his presidential ambitions, insisted he should mark his 61st birthday to be dedicated just for interaction with friends, associates and party faithful. With modest planning, Anyim said, invites were sent out. But despite such humble arrangements, Anyim confessed, “I was stunned by the turn out at the Africa Hall of the Internatiobal Conference Centre Abuja today”. The roll call of dignitaries is endless he said. Starting from President Muhammadu Buhari who sent the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha to represent him, because he is out of the country, to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who he fondly described as my boss for life to former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, to former President of the Senate, and Secretary to the PDP Board of Trustees, Distinguished Senator Adolphus Wabara, to the executive Governor of Rivers State Bar. Nyesom Wike, Governor Samuel Ortom Represented, Former Governor Attahiru Bafawara, former Governor T.A Orji, Distinguished Senators, Hon. Members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ministers, PDP National, Zonal and State Officials, including, leaders of other Political parties, enthusiastic Greater Nigeria 2023 Project Partners from all over the Federation.
He emphasized, “I was touched and humbled by the kind words of commendation, affirmation, recommendation, endorsement, and encouragement from such gathering of respectable, and outstanding leaders,” Anyim, commending magnanimous presence presence of President Mohammed Buhari said, “President Buhari displayed exceptional statesmanship with his kind and gracious comments. I can’t thank him enough.” Continuing he said, weighing the comments of former president Jonathan, he concluded, “My boss, President Jonathan has just sent me on an assignment to go ahead to resume the building of a Greater Nigeria on the solid foundation he laid”. Again by the enthusiastic endorsement of speakers and goodwill messages of people at the occasion, Anyim said, “I have heard Nigerians loudly today and I am willing and available to serve this beautiful country of ours, promising about his readiness, he said “Nigerians, here I am, Send me.” He further extends hands to those who could not find a space inside the hall and those who sent messages of felicitation, to Join hands with him and the Greater Nigeria 2023 Project Team to rebuild the Nigeria we shall all be proud of.