Abuja, Nigeria - Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday sent a congratulatory letter to US President Barack Obama, who is marking his 50th birthday Thursday (4Aug), extolling the American leader’s “epic” personal, national and international achievements.

“I write to felicitate with you and to wish you many more years of fulfillment and accomplishment. In a span of fifty years, you have recorded epic achievements against the odds at the personal, national and international spheres,' a Nigeria State House statement quoted the President as saying.

“At this time, when our world is faced with sundry humanitarian and developmental challenges which require renewed resolve, steadfast leadership, and commitment to the highest ideals, I trust that you will continue to lead the United States in the vanguard of the quest for a more stable, prosperous, secure, just and equitable world,’' President Jonathan wrote.

The Nigerian leader said that he looked forward to continuing to work with President Obama “to engender even more robust bilateral relations and productive partnership between Nigeria and the United States of America”.

On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, President Jonathan wished President Obama “a very happy birthday.”

Pana 04/08/2011