President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated legendary newscaster, presenter and first African female to appear on television, Anike Agbaje Williams, on her 80th birthday.

The president’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.

The statement read: “President Buhari joins the Williams’ family, friends and the vibrant media profession, in celebrating the broadcaster who had a sonorous voice that ruled the industry for more than 30 years, starting out early with the first television station in Africa in 1959, Western Nigeria Television (WNTV).

“As one of the pioneer African television broadcasters, better known as ‘‘Africa’s First Lady of the Tube’’, the President believes the veteran journalist worked hard to inform, educate and entertain her listeners, and to also sustain the legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo who established the WNTV as a surrogate teacher”.