President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated former President and elder statesman Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on his 89th birthday, describing him as a towering figure whose influence continues to resonate in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu rejoiced with the former leader and acknowledged his decades of service and commitment to national development.
The President highlighted Obasanjo’s leadership at critical moments in Nigeria’s history, including his tenure as military Head of State from 1976 to 1979, during which he supervised the transition to civil rule and handed over power to a democratically elected government in 1979.
Tinubu also recalled Obasanjo’s two terms as civilian president in the Fourth Republic from 1999 to 2007.
He praised Obasanjo’s courage, sacrifice, and steadfast commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress, noting his role in preserving national unity during the civil war and his imprisonment for speaking out against military dictatorship.
Tinubu further commended Obasanjo’s continued engagement in national and continental affairs, as well as his intellectual contributions through books and public interventions that demonstrate deep patriotism and dedication to nation-building.
“As Chief Obasanjo turns 89, the President acknowledges the zeal and wisdom he has brought into Nigeria’s development process through his books and regular interventions,” the statement said.
Tinubu prayed for continued good health, strength, and wisdom for the former president as he marks the milestone and continues to contribute to national and global affairs.
