President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday
congratulated former President and elder statesman, Chief Olusegun
Obasanjo (GCFR), as he turned 79 saying his place in global history is
assured.
Buhari in a statement issued by his
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina said the
president affirmed that the former president, “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 said he believed that Obasanjo’s
place in global history was 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.
The statement further said: “The
president warmly commends Obasanjo’s vision and commitment to the growth
of Nigeria and Africa, which translated into a historical growth rate
of 6 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.
“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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