President Muhammadu Buhari and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) have felicitated with Queen Elizabeth II England as she marks 70th anniversary on the throne.
Buhari, in a statement by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, yesterday extended warm wishes and congratulations, and that of Nigerians, to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee.
The president rejoiced with Her Majesty as she marked 70th year on the throne and Head of the Commonwealth of Nations, which Nigeria is a member.
Buhari noted that Queen Elizabeth II is the first British monarch to reach seven decades on the throne.
In a message to mark the special occasion, the president noted that Queen Elizabeth had chalked a number of milestones including the fact of being the youngest ever on the throne, handling her role with confidence and grace and now, the one who has served the longest.
The president expressed his admiration for the Queen as a loyal, patriotic, and compassionate leader who worked for the people, not as a ruler but as a friend and compatriot.
“People never lose trust in Queen Elizabeth. Their firm belief is that she always has the potential to deliver, especially during troubled times. It is confirmation of the fact that Queen Elizabeth always acts and delivers according to people’s expectations.
“In her lonely journey on the throne, and so recently having lost her husband and principal supporter Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, I and all our citizens wish her many more years as Queen of England and Head of the Commonwealth, in excellent condition of health.”
On its part, PANDEF, the apex socio-cultural organization of the people of the Niger Delta Region, has extended the warmest felicitations to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee on the throne.
PANDEF, according to a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Hon Ken Robinson, expressed delight to identify with this milestone celebration of Her Majesty, becoming the first British monarch to celebrate a platinum jubilee following 70 years of exceptional service.
“Her Majesty epitomizes gracious royalty, elegance, kindness, goodwill and extraordinary leadership. During the seven decades of her reign, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11, who is also the Head of State of the United Kingdom and fourteen other commonwealth countries, has brought joy, happiness, and hope to nations and peoples across the world.
“The National Leader, Chief Dr Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON, the National Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, FNSE, the Board of Trustees (BoT), the Executive Committees and the entire Membership of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, offer our congratulations to Her Majesty on her Platinum Jubilee, together with best wishes for her 96th Birthday. We wish Her Majesty, the Queen, continuous good health and many more years to reign.”
PANDEF further used the opportunity to call on Her Majesty, the Queen, the Government of the United Kingdom and the International Community in its entirety, to show greater interest in Nigeria’s transition program to strengthen the credibility of the nation’s electoral process and deepen democracy.
Britain began four days of festivities yesterday to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee.
Millions of people across the UK were expected to turn out to mark the historic milestone, according to Euronews.
The monarch sent a message of thanks to the nation and said she was inspired by the goodwill shown.
Commenting on the highlights of the holiday weekend, Royal Commentator, Richard Fitzwilliams said: “The Queens’ message talked about confidence and enthusiasm for the future and indeed, looking back, as a beacon of stability and continuity over the last 70 years, this will be an opportunity for the nation to show its gratitude as well, of course, it will be a break from the rigours of the last two plus years with the pandemic.”
“We have a military parade today. The First Battalion of the Irish Guards will be Trooping the Colours which is a traditional, official birthday parade of the Queen and indeed the guards are marching and horse guards, quite literally now.
“The Queen first participated in Trooping the Colours in 1947, she will in fact be taking the salute from the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the parade because of mobility problems. But nonetheless, this will be a very fine military spectacle that it always is.”
The 96-year-old queen is the first British monarch to reach a platinum jubilee – 70 years on the throne.
Queen Elizabeth was celebrated with what is being described as a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
The royal family and the public are taking part in festivities ranging from the traditional Trooping the Colour birthday parade to a star-studded concert to celebrate the 96-year-old queen.
Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne following the death of her father, King George VI, on February 6, 1952. Her coronation was on June 2, 1953, the first to be televised. The nearly three-hour service in Westminster Abbey was watched on television by 27 million people in the United Kingdom alone, according to the royal family.
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