FORMER president Muhammadu Buhari placed a phone call to celebrate the 86th birthday of retired General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, specifically to highlight and show gratitude for his decorated military career and service to the country.
“T.Y. as Chief of Army Staff built an army that was ready to execute combat operations day and night, at home and abroad,” Buhari was quoted in the statement released by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu on Sunday.
“And at all times displayed the soldierly spirit of valor and indomitable courage. He served the army with pride.”
Danjuma first enrolled at the Nigerian Military Training College in 1958 and embarked on a long, illustrious career rising to the rank of General as Chief of Army Staff from 1975 to 1979, seeing combat action and leading troops during the nation’s civil war.
Upon retirement, Danjuma continued serving Nigeria as Minister of Defence under President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration from 1999 to 2003.
Now 86 years old, President Buhari commented “I wished him many more years of service to humanity as he builds on his legacy of contribution to public causes and the welfare of the underprivileged.”
