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President Bola Tinubu, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and other prominent Nigerian leaders have paid glowing tributes to former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, describing him as a statesman, patriot, bridge-builder and custodian of Nigeria’s institutional memory as he marks his 70th birthday.
The tributes come as Mustapha prepares to celebrate the landmark birthday on Friday, September 4, with activities including the commissioning of a library he donated to a university in Yola, Adamawa State, and a state banquet hosted in his honour by the Adamawa State Government.
President Tinubu, in a special tribute dated August 27, described the former SGF as an exceptional leader whose seven decades have been defined by service, humility and unwavering commitment to Nigeria.
Tinubu said Mustapha was the “calm head and steady hand” during some of the country’s most turbulent moments while serving as SGF between 2017 and 2023 under the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
“As Secretary to the Government of the Federation from 2017 to 2023 during the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, he was the calm head and steady hand during some of our nation’s most turbulent moments,” Tinubu said.
The President recalled Mustapha’s role in coordinating government policies and initiatives and particularly praised his leadership of Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic as Chairman of the Presidential Task Force.
“As Chairman of the Presidential Task Force, he led our national response to the COVID-19 pandemic and helped save millions of lives,” Tinubu said.
“Boss discharged his duties in a way that made Nigeria a shining example in Africa and beyond in combating that public health emergency. For this, our country must remain forever grateful to him.”
Tinubu also traced Mustapha’s political journey to the turbulent years following the June 12 crisis, recalling that the former SGF chaired the Adamawa State chapter of the defunct Social Democratic Party.
According to the President, Mustapha later played a critical role as Deputy National Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria in the political negotiations that culminated in the formation of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“Boss was also the Deputy National Chairman of our Action Congress of Nigeria, working with the then Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, myself and others, to consummate the merger with late President Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change and other legacy parties that gave us the All Progressives Congress,” Tinubu said.
“At 70, he leaves behind a legacy of quiet effectiveness and institutional memory that our country will continue to draw from.”
Former President Obasanjo, in a letter dated August 17, said he hoped to be physically present in Yola for Mustapha’s thanksgiving and celebration scheduled for September 5, barring “last-minute, unavoidable exigencies or overlapping commitments.”
Obasanjo described Mustapha’s attainment of 70 as a landmark achievement marked by “grace, good health, and a profound record of dedicated service to our fatherland.”
“I have marked the date in my calendar, and barring any last-minute, unavoidable exigencies or overlapping commitments on the domestic or international front, I look forward with gladness to being physically present in Yola to share in the joy of your special day,” Obasanjo wrote.
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Former Head of State, Gen. Gowon, said Mustapha’s life has become “a compelling testimony to excellence in public service and dedication to national development.”
Gowon particularly recalled Mustapha’s role in the management of the COVID-19 crisis, describing his tenure as Chairman of the Presidential Task Force as a demonstration of resilience and devotion to duty.
“I particularly remember your unwavering resilience and devotion to duty when you were appointed as the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19,” Gowon said.
“You worked tirelessly with your team and succeeded in curtailing the spread of the virus, thereby saving the lives of millions of Nigerians. We thank you for your service to the nation.”
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, although unable to attend the celebration because of an extended international engagement in Kigali, said Mustapha’s 70th birthday was “a testament to a life of service, leadership, and enduring contributions to the development of our great nation.”
Jonathan said he had earlier promised to attend the event but would remain in Kigali until September 6 following changes to his schedule.
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State also described Mustapha as a lawyer, businessman, politician and consummate administrator whose life has been defined by patriotism, intellectual depth and administrative excellence.
“Your tenure as Secretary to the Government of the Federation was particularly remarkable, as you brought to bear your wealth of experience, wisdom, diligence, and statesmanship in coordinating the affairs of government,” Abiodun said.
“Beyond the offices you have occupied, your enduring legacy lies in the integrity, professionalism, and patriotic commitment with which you have discharged every responsibility entrusted to you.”
Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, also praised Mustapha’s political and administrative career, noting his contributions as a member of the Constituent Assembly, Chairman of the Social Democratic Party in Adamawa State and Deputy National Chairman of the ACN.
Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, himself a former SGF, described Mustapha as “a remarkable statesman, distinguished public servant, accomplished administrator and a quintessential gentleman.”
Anyim said Mustapha’s years in public service demonstrated his understanding of the complexities of governance and his capacity for leadership.
“Beyond the offices you have occupied, your greatest legacy lies in the values you have consistently demonstrated, which is discipline, humility, fear of God, patriotism, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to public good,” Anyim said.
“You have witnessed and participated in different chapters of Nigeria’s political and administrative development, and through those experiences, you have continued to demonstrate the importance of maturity, patience, institutional knowledge, and statesmanship in the affairs of our nation.”
Mustapha, who served as SGF from 2017 to 2023, was one of the most influential figures in the Buhari administration and became nationally prominent for leading the Presidential Task Force that coordinated Nigeria’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
