From Joseph Obukata (The New Diplomat’s N’Delta Correspondent)
President Muhammadu Buhari has sent warm felicitations to former military Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on his 79th birthday, August 17, 2020.
The President joined family, friends and associates to celebrate with the elder statesman.
“As the former military leader turns a new age, the President believes his services to the country will always be remembered.
President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will continually strengthen Gen. Babangida, grant him good health and longer life”, Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, said in a terse message.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state, has also congratulated Babangida, as he turns 79 years on Monday.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, on Sunday in Asaba, the governor congratulated the elder statesman on attaining the new age and commended him for his commitment to the unity and growth of the country.
He thanked the former President for his contributions to nation-building, recalling that it was during his administration that a number of states, including Delta, were created.
“At 79, your contributions to nation-building reverberates across the nooks and crannies of our great nation and as Deltans in particular, we can’t thank you enough for creating our state in 1991.
“As we mark the 29th anniversary of the creation of Delta, we recall with gratitude your exemplary and legendary contributions in making it a reality.
“The benefits of state creation no doubt, have manifested tremendously in the lives of over five million Deltans who live and do business in our state which has impacted positively in the economic, infrastructural and human capital development of our people.
“I must also commend you for your fearless contributions to national issues and your strategic support to the genuine efforts towards making our nation great.
“As a military officer, you had an illustrious career which culminated in your becoming Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“As a national icon and elder statesman, we hold you in high esteem for granting the most important wish of Deltans at the time you did,” the governor stated.
“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I heartily congratulate you, our great leader and elder statesman, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR, on your 79th birth anniversary.
“As a distinguished leader and statesman, you served the nation diligently by ensuring the unity of our country through the promotion of harmony and tolerance in spite of our obvious diversity.
“It is my prayer that the good Lord will continue to uphold and guide you in all your future endeavours,” he added.
In the same vein, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has congratulated Babangida, as he clocks the landmark age of 79 years.
The lawmakers, in a statement by the Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, on Monday, described General Babangida as “an outstanding statesman and exceptionally courageous leader, who has remained steadfast in his commitment towards the unity, stability and development of our nation, Nigeria”.
According to Elumelu, General Babangida, as a Chief of Army Staff, Military President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and now as a member of the Council of State, had remained unwavering in his commitment towards peace, national cohesion and consolidation of the unity and development of our nation.
“As military President, General Babangida’s economic and political reforms led to an unprecedented boost in the nation’s infrastructural development across board, in addition to record productivity in critical sectors, including agriculture, banking and finance, export, housing, urban and rural development among others.
“This is in addition to setting the structures for our nation’s democratic development
“The Babangida era witnessed one of the best assemblages of competent technocrats and experts in governance, which led to his legacies transcending all sectors, with presence in all the nooks and crannies of our nation”.
The caucus further celebrated General Babangida as a detribalized leader, who put the interest of the nation above all without compromising the distinct aspirations and sensibilities of Nigeria’s national diversity.
The minority caucus congratulated General Babangida and prayed God to continue to keep him in good health so that “the nation will continue to benefit from his wealth of experience and wise counsel, especially at this critical time in our national life”.
