President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed that he lost two of his children by his late wife, Safinatu, to sickle cell, anemia.

Buhari made this known via a documentary played at a private dinner organised by his family and close associates to mark his 80th birthday on Friday night at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Speaking on his personal life, President Buhari said at the time he married the first lady, Aisha Buhari, he insisted his second wife must be AA genotype so that his children would not inherit the S from his AS genotype.

Buhari also described as “not a funny joke,” claims by some Nigerians that presumed him to be long dead and replaced by a body double named ‘Jibril of Sudan’.

The President said the rumour was the handiwork of some mischief makers who thrive on what they do not understand.

READ ALSO: Christmas: Jonathan calls for unity, peace

“Yes, people said I am somebody from Sudan. I didn’t bother with the name. Nigerians have mischievous ways of explaining themselves,” Buhari added.

Asked if he finds such allusions to be funny, he said: “No. It is not funny because those who made those statement, they just want to be cheeky. They want to distract attention from the main issue.

“Our main issue is to do the infrastructure, make people aware that they need to work hard to live well. They just want to enjoy life without earning the respect of their community and so on.”

On his part, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo described Buhari as a forthright, kind man, and an exemplary leader.

Osinbajo said: “I invite your excellences, ladies, and gentlemen, to join me in proposing this toast to an exemplary leader, a forthright and honest man, a good and kind man, and a man who has led this country with great courage, determination and commitment for so many years.

“We pray that the almighty God will preserve his life for very many years to come and that he will live all of these many years in good health, peace, joy, and with the love of all of our countrymen.”

Others at the event were Governors Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), and Aminu Masari (Katsina); former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and the President’s Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; among others.

The Star