Tobi Soniyi in Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Salihu Modibo Alfa Belgore, on his 80thbirthday.
The president, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Mr. Femi Adesina, said he joined all professional colleagues, family and friends of the legal luminary in commemorating the unique milestone, which by all standards, has been preceded with years of service to his fatherland and humanity, culminating in the prestigious national awards of the Commander Order of the Niger and Grand Commander Order of the Niger.
“As a public servant, who variously served as a judge, Chief Judge, Justice of the Court of Appeal, before being elevated to the Supreme Court Bench in 1986, from where he reached the pinnacle of his career as Chief Justice of Nigeria, President Buhari believes Justice Belgore’s passion for jurisprudence should continue to inspire the younger generation of lawyers in making the right choices for nation building,” the statement said.
Buhari recalled the octogenarian’s versatility in issues of culture, language and history, and his penchant for research, adding that the former Chief Justice, who was also Chairman of the Federal Judicial Service Commission, had already booked an honourable place in the history of Nigeria.
Buhari prayed that the almighty God would grant Justice Belgore longer life, good health and more prosperous years to continue in the service of his country.
