Buhari Greets Ace Broadcaster, Julie Coker At 80

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent warm greetings to veteran female broadcaster, Chief Julie Coker, on her 80th birthday.

The Presidency said on Sunday that Buhari joined the creative industry to celebrate the “iconic culture ambassador, musician and author.”

She is also the Yeye Eto of Lagos.

The President praised Coker’s “sterling career in journalism and performing arts, coming into limelight as a female broadcaster in Africa’s first television station, Western Nigerian Television (WNTV, Ibadan), which started transmission on October 31, 1959, and sustaining the grace in Nigerian Television Service, (NTV, Lagos), now Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).”

The President’s message, which was conveyed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, noted further, “As a former beauty queen, Miss Western Nigeria Competition, 1958, and runner-up at a Miss Nigeria contest, the President believes Chief  Coker’s talent brought her into the spotlight at an early age, and has consistently sustained her growing influence over the years, both within and outside the country.

“President Buhari rejoices with family members, friends and professional associates of the exceptional  broadcaster, who continues to project the country to the world by accepting leadership roles in culture and tourism in the United Kingdom and United States.

“The President prays that the Almighty God will grant Chief Coker longer life, good heath and more grace to pursue and actualise her dreams of making life better for others.”