Shekarau Marks 70th Birthday, Declares ‘I’m On Extra Time’
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
Former Governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau celebrated his 70th birthday on Thursday declaring that he is enjoying a bonus time on earth.
The former Minister of Education who was full of praises to Allah for guiding him through “a lifetime of service as a teacher, administrator, governor, minister, and senator. “
Senator Shekarau said attaining the milestone is a remarkable blessing from Allah, pointing out that in line with Prophetic teaching that said “the average lifespan of his Ummah is between 60 and 70 years.
Shekarau therefore declared that “When you reach 60 in line with Prophetic teachings, it’s an injury time; by 70, it’s an extra time, and the referee can blow the whistle at any moment.”
Malam Shekarau used the occasion to seek forgiveness from anyone he might have offended and offered forgiveness to all who may have wronged him.
“Every human being makes mistakes. I ask all those who feel I have offended them to forgive me, and I have forgiven anyone who has offended me,” he said.
Shekarau urged Nigerians to live by five guiding principles—good conduct, hard work, perseverance, patience, and total dependence on God.
“The beauty of life is not in how happy you are, but how happy others are because of you,” he stressed.