Being 65 is a bonus – SGF Mustapha

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) on COVID-19 Boss Mustapha has said that his clocking 65 is a moment of reflection, especially if the life expectancy in Nigeria is to be considered.

According to him the life expectancy for men in Nigeria is put at 54 to 58 and for him to clock 65 means that he has crossed that bar and that what he  is getting is a bonus.

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He said this on Saturday in Abuja at a special birthday thanksgiving, organised by the staff of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) as part of activities marking his 65th birthday.

This is coming on the heels of President Muhammadu Buhari who in his birthday message, described Boss Mustapha as a dedicated public servant, with the nation’s COVID-19 management under him worthy of praise.

The President said, “Since his appointment as SGF, my respect and admiration for Mustapha have grown ever stronger and deeper because of the passion and energy with which he does his job.”

Mustapha, however said that, Nigerians have lots to be grateful to God for, ahead of the nation’s 61 Independence anniversary.

“Being 65 means a lot to me, truly, because the expectancy, life expectancy rate in Nigeria for men is between 54 and 58, so it means that I have crossed that bar. What I have been getting now is a bonus. It has been a long journey, it has been a very happy, sometimes tedious journeys.

“And it is a moment of reflection truly in my life, you haven’t gotten to where I’ve got the terms of age. I believe that God is leading me somewhere. It’s a moment of reflection,” Mustapha said.

On the state of the nation and expectations, the SGF said, “Nigeria is known for human and material resources. We are not where we want to be as a nation, but the crafting of the building of a nationhood, is a gradual process, we have had our fair share of crisis, but we have overcome those crisis. And trajectory into the future is bright, is bright.

“If you see some of the things that we’ve been able to do under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. To exit the recession in record time; most established democracy democracy are battling with recession, we’ve exited it. And you can see the growth pattern that is evolving, I believe, is Nigeria’s who consciously acknowledge the fact that this is our nation.

“You see the power of life and death. This is what you say about your country is what you get. I think the future looks good. The picture is rosy. Building a nation is a gradual process and it is a sustainable enduring process which is not a sprint. it’s a marathon.

“Most of the democracies that we want to compare ourselves with have gone past 300 years, some 400 years.”

He also said that the COVID-19 has expose the weaknesses of the systems that people thought were perfect but which is being properly managed in the country.

He said, “I believe that we have a great country. We all have to work together in harmony. Yes, there are difficulties here and there which we must acknowledge. But when you acknowledge the difficulties and begin to walk towards the job, this began the processes of building a virile nation.”

How we cope with his schedules -wife

Also Speaking, the wife of the SGF Mustapha, Mrs Funmilayo Boss Mustapha, said apart from celebrating his 65th birthday, she and the family are also grateful to God for the privilege of his serving the nation as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation of Nigeria.

“The work is enormous. I must admit, but every day he depends on God. Every day he draws his wisdom from God, and God has been guiding him and helping him to articulate and to help him the responsibilities that he holds for this nation.

“I love him more today than I did when we got married 33 years ago. He is a good man. He is a great father. I learned a lot from him. Yes, he has a lot of humility. He is generous, kind, loving and everything that a woman would want in a man,” she said.

Asked on how the family cope with his busy schedules as SGF and as a politician, she said, “We pray for him. I think that’s the most important thing that we can do we pray for him. Sometimes we are human beings and we are like, oh we wish we could have more of your time, but then we know the enormity of the assignment that is before him, so we just pray for him and commit him into Gods hands.”