President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday congratulated former President Olusegun Obasanjo as he turns 79 years old on Saturday.
Buhari’s congratulatory message to Obasanjo was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.
The President affirmed that Obasanjo, who is approaching the octogenarian cycle, has contributed immensely to the institutionalisation of democracy in Nigeria and Africa through his personal sacrifice, extensive local and international networks, and God-given wisdom.
Buhari expressed the belief 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 stabilise the polity, during which he most remarkably negotiated a debt relief for Nigeria.
The statement read in part, “The President warmly commends Chief Obasanjo’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.
“President Buhari prays that the Almighty God will grant the Balogun of the Owu lineage, who is also the Ekerin Balogun of the Egba clan, long life and strength to continue his service to humanity.”
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