President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, expressed appreciation for the many cards and well wishes he received for his 80th birthday.

Buhari said, jocularly, that staff had denied his wish for a quiet day, adding: “I fixed the return journey from America on the day, to avoid the celebration.”

Addressing Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and a handful of other personal staff, who gathered “to make the President’s birthday an occasion to remember,” Buhari said a birthday is no more than just another day in the office.

In a tribute, on behalf of the staff, Gambari read: “We say happy birthday to a worthy leader, father of the nation and our own father.

“We are proud of Your Excellency and grateful for the opportunity to serve Your Excellency with respect and abiding loyalty.”

Buhari was said to have waded across the room, reading one card after the other and thereafter, ordered everyone back to work.

Meanwhile, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and his wife, Dolapo, have congratulated Buhari on the occasion of his 80th birthday.

In a personally signed statement, the Vice President wrote: “Happy 80th birthday, Mr. President! Your extraordinary life of unblemished service to the nation in the army, as a governor, minister, military head of state and as two-term civilian president demonstrates that it is possible to serve the nation and our people honestly, forthrightly and selflessly.

“Dolly and I, and the family wish you many more happy years in peace and good health in Jesus’ name. Amen.”