President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated former President of Nigeria and elder statesman, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, as he turns 79 years old today.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina in a statement said that the President acknowledged that, Obasanjo who is approaching the octogenarian cycle, has contributed immensely to the institutionalization of democracy in Nigeria and Africa through his personal sacrifice, extensive local and international networks, and God-given wisdom.
Buhari expressed the believes that Obasanjo’s place in global history is assured for successfully handing over power to a civilian government in 1979 after serving as a military Head of State, and returning to power in 1999 through elections to stabilize the polity, during which he most remarkably negotiated a debt relief for Nigeria.
He als commended the former President’s vision and commitment to the growth of Nigeria and Africa, which translated into a historical growth rate of six percent for the Nigerian economy after a long period of slow growth, and also created a rippling effect that buoyed other African economies.
“As he turns 79, the President avers that the former president’s regular shuttles across Nigeria and Africa to counsel on economic, social and political issues, and his willingness to head election monitoring teams that have heralded smooth transitions in many countries are legacies which generations will remain grateful”, the statement read.
President Buhari prayed that the Almighty God will grant the Balogun of the Owulineage, who is also the Ekerin Balogun of the Egba clan, long life and strength to continue his service to humanity.
(Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, SUN NEWS ONLINE)