President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Tuesday stated that Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al Auzam (Bodu Thakurufaanu) is the permanent Commander in Chief of the Maldives.

The President made the remarks while addressing the special ceremony held in Haa Alifu Atoll Utheem in celebration of the National Day of Maldives.

He highlighted that Muhammad Thakurufaanu was the Maldives' most priceless soldier and that Utheem Island had given the Maldives the greatest gift of all time in the form of Bodu Thakurufaanu.

The President further pointed out that, despite the fact that most people assume Bodu Thakurufaanu to be older when discussing him, he was actually a young man who thought the Maldivians could defend themselves from Portuguese attacks.

President Solih noted, reflecting on the circumstances at the time, that it was not simple thinking to construct the ship "Kalhuohfunmi" using methods completely at odds with what the Maldivians had been using to achieve speed.