The federal government on Monday released a new directive on how President Muhammadu Buhari should be addressed at formal functions. The new directive which was signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, was sent to ministries, departments and agencies of the federal government for strict compliance.
The circular observed the growing inconsistency in the manner in which the President is addressed at formal events. The circular reads in part;
“Government has observed with concern the inconsistent manner in which the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria is addressed during Official and Private functions. It has therefore become necessary to have a standard format for addressing him at such formal occasions.
To this end, Mr. President shall henceforth be addressed as ‘‘MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA.’’ except in purely Armed Forces Programmes, where “COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA” will be added.
All concerned persons should accordingly be guided and ensure strict compliance with the contents of this Circular.”
The Circular noted that though the President remains a retired major general, he must not to be addressed by that military rank at formal functions.
