Tinubu Celebrates Chagoury, Mele Kyari, Zacch Adedeji on Their Birthday

•Mourns ex-coach, Brodericks-Imasuen

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has rejoiced with the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), Mele Kyari, as he marks his 59th birthday on January 8 as well as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, on his 46th today.

Mele Kyari

The President, in a statement issued yesterday by his Media Adviser, Ajuri Ngelale, commended the diligence, passion, and expertise, Kyari, a geologist, had brought to the office as one of the longest-tenured chief executives in the history of the national oil company .

 “Mele is a man of action, rather than words. He is proactive in his approach. His ability to diagnose complicated problems with thoughtful and pragmatic solutions has created a path for him to continue rendering valuable service to our nation. I wish him a happy birthday,” the president said.

Also, the president has rejoiced with the Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Dr.  Adedeji, expressing optimism that the FIRS boss will reform the nation’s tax system for the benefit of Nigerians.

Dr. Zacch Adedeji

He also extolled the fine defining qualities of the first-class graduate of accounting who steadily rose through the ranks in public service by dint of hard work, loyalty, and competence.

 Tinubu noted his service as the Commissioner of Finance in Oyo State at the age of 33; the chief executive of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC); Special Adviser to the President on Revenue, and now chief executive officer of the nation’s apex tax authority.

 “Zacch is an innovator who consistently turns his creative ideas into change-making actions. He is a disciple of the ‘think-and-do’ school of change-makers.

“He will reform Nigeria’s tax system for the benefit of Nigerians. Give him a task, and it will be done and done well,” the president stated.

The president therefore wished the FIRS chairman more strength and zeal in the discharge of his duties.

Meanwhile, Tinubu has rejoiced with business titan, Gilbert Chagoury, as he marks his 78th birthday on January 8 (today).

The president, according to a release, appreciated Chagoury’s consistency and reliability demonstrated throughout his storied career, noting his desire to see Nigeria rise to the highest of heights in all spheres of human endeavour.

 Tinubu recalled how the Chagoury family kept faith with Africa’s largest economy by continually investing in various projects and philanthropic activities over the decades, irrespective of all the socio-political challenges that characterised the road to the nation’s return to civilian rule in 1999 and beyond.

He said: “Gilbert is a shining light in any room. He is compassionate, discerning, and totally reliable in every respect. He has invested in our country in both good and bad times.

“He is generous with both his heart and his resources. With friends like him, one can sleep with a still mind. He is a valuable and cherished person who is worthy of celebration”.

On a sad note, Tinubu said yesterday that he received with heavy heart the news of the passing of one of Nigeria’s finest football coaches, Mr. Sebastian Brodericks-Imasuen.

Mr. Sebastian Brodericks-Imasuen

Brodericks-Imasuen, a footballer-turned-coach, led Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets to victory at the inaugural FIFA U-16 World Championship in China in 1985.

The president, in a release, celebrated the football icon, who brought hope and inspired national pride by his industry, devotion, and diligence on and off the pitch, describing him as a true Nigerian hero.

 Tinubu sympathised with the Imasuen family, the football community, the government of Edo State, and all those who mourn what he termed the agonising loss while praying for the repose of the soul of the departed.