House of Representatives Speaker Hon. Yakubu Dogara, on Thursday felicitated with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on the occasion of his 70 birthday.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs Mr Turaki Hassan, in Abuja, the Speaker showered encomiums on the former VP, describing him as a democrat, patriot and elder-statesman.

The statement reads in part: “Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is an icon of democracy and one of those who struggled to enthrone democratic governance in Nigeria.

“We celebrate him as one of the greatest political leaders in Nigeria and a role model.

“We commend his unwavering commitment to the well being of the Nigerian people through his philanthropic activities especially in helping thousands of the internally displaced persons in the North East recently.

“Atiku is one person who even at the height of the insurgency when people were running and closing their businesses he was establishing schools and manufacturing industries to provides jobs for our youths.”

“As he clock 70 years we wish him God’s continuous guidance, protection and sound health to continue with his invaluable service to the nation and humanity in years come.”