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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Former Kaduna State Governor and Senator, Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi, has urged Nigerians to close ranks and collectively confront the numerous challenges confronting the country, saying the problems are not insurmountable if citizens and leaders demonstrate the necessary will and determination.
Makarfi made the call in a message of appreciation to Nigerians who felicitated with him as he marked his 70th birthday on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
The former governor, while expressing gratitude for the overwhelming goodwill messages he received from across the country, used the milestone to renew his appeal for unity, peace and progress.
“I also seize this moment, as I’ve always done, to appeal to all of us to come together, close ranks and confront the myriad of problems bedeviling our country,” Makarfi said.
According to him, the challenges facing Nigeria, despite their magnitude, can be overcome if Nigerians summon the spirit and political will required to address them.
“They’re not insurmountable as long as the spirit and the will are there. And I believe they are,” he added.
Makarfi said his 70th birthday had been marked by an unexpected deluge of congratulatory messages from people across political, religious and social divides.
He explained that the volume of messages was so overwhelming that his attempts to respond individually to those who reached out to him proved unsuccessful.
“It’s no doubt a privilege worthy of appreciation to attain the age of three scores and ten on August 8, 2026; but I personally didn’t bargain for the deluge of goodwill messages that have continued to come my way,” he said.
“My attempts to write individualized responses to the thousands of messages have come to nought as I lose count of who and what messages to respond to.”
The former governor expressed his “most sincere and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation” to the multitude of well-wishers who celebrated the milestone with him.
He first attributed the attainment to the grace of Allah, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to reach the age of 70 and for the numerous favours he said only God could provide.
“I want to thank notably, Allah (SWT) for enabling the attainment as well as so many other favours that only He is capable of,” Makarfi stated.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani; members of the National Assembly; the Northern Senators’ Forum; and the 1999 set of governors and other former governors.
The former Kaduna governor also acknowledged traditional rulers, including the Emir of Zazzau, His Highness Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, CFR, as well as other Emirs and chiefs within and outside Kaduna State.
He extended his appreciation to leaders of various political parties, political leaders and candidates across partisan divides, religious leaders, friends and other well-wishers who called, wrote or communicated with him in different ways.
Makarfi also singled out Nigerian youths and youth organisations for commendation, particularly those who used social media platforms to celebrate his 70th birthday.
“I equally appreciate the numerous youths and youth groups that took to the social media to felicitate with me,” he said.
Reflecting on the tributes he received, Makarfi said some of the descriptions contained in the goodwill messages were so flattering that they left him wondering whether they were referring to him.
“I want to say that the various messages, many of which described me in superlatives that made me wonder as to who the references are, have humbled me,” he said.
However, he said the messages would not merely be remembered as birthday tributes but would also serve as motivation for him to continue contributing to the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.
“They will serve as a tonic that gingers me to continue to give my best to support the unity, peace and progress of our country and its people,” Makarfi said.
The former governor thanked Nigerians for celebrating with him and making his 70th birthday a memorable occasion, while reiterating the need for collective action to move the country forward.
