By Ayo Ayodele
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the occasion of his 89th birthday, describing him as a towering figure whose influence transcends Nigeria and the African continent.
In a State House press release issued on Wednesday, President Tinubu praised Obasanjo’s decades of service to the nation, highlighting his pivotal roles in Nigeria’s political evolution. He noted that the elder statesman served as military Head of State from 1976 to 1979 and earned national and international respect for handing over power to a democratically elected civilian government in 1979.
The President also recalled Obasanjo’s return to office as Nigeria’s first civilian president in the Fourth Republic, serving from 1999 to 2007, a period widely regarded as foundational in consolidating democratic governance after years of military rule.
Tinubu commended the former leader’s courage and sacrifices, including his role in leading troops during the Nigerian Civil War to preserve the country’s unity and his imprisonment during the military era for speaking out against tyranny. He further acknowledged Obasanjo’s consistent advocacy for Africa’s political stability and economic advancement on the global stage.
As the former president marks his 89th birthday on March 5, Tinubu lauded his continued contributions to national discourse through books, public commentary, and regular interventions on critical issues affecting Nigeria and the continent.
The President prayed for continued good health, strength, and wisdom for Obasanjo, expressing hope that the elder statesman would continue to serve the nation and humanity in the years ahead.
The statement was signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.