A FORMER President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has hailed former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (Rtd), on reaching the remarkable age of 90, saying that he deserves to be celebrated nationally.
Obasanjo said this while speaking at the 90th Birthday Lecture for former Gowon in Abuja on Friday.
Obasanjo said he is thanking God on behalf of the former Head of State whom he said got to the age of 90 by the grace of God.
“This is a national celebration and you are worthy to be nationally celebrated while you are still alive,” Obasanjo said.
“I look at the galaxy of distinguished men and women around, only very few of them can claim to be eyewitnesses to your time in government not to talk of your time in the army.
“And because by the grace of God who has given you the longevity of life and who has given me a little bit to be following you, I will just thank God on your behalf that God has made you to reach 90.”
The chairman of the occasion, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, while also speaking at the event, hailed Gowon as a symbol of ‘unity, humility and accommodation’ in the country.
According to him, Gowon came into power at a time of necessity following the 1966 military coup.
The Sultan said Nigeria is lucky to have a statesman like Gowon live such long and healthy life.
“He laid the foundation for continuity and stability, we owe him immense gratitude for the perseverance and tenacity in keeping this country in one piece and at peace with itself.
“Nigeria is exceptionally lucky to have a statesmen of his age in full consciousness. Not many countries are really lucky to have such statement that live this long and in relatively good health,” Sultan Abubakar said.
The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwunmi Adesina, also attended the event and presented a keynote speech.
During his speech, Adesina announced that the AfDB will establish a Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank for Nigeria which is part of its support for young people.
“I am delighted to announce here today that just three days ago, the African Development Bank’s board of directors approved $100m for the establishment of the Youth Entrepreneurship Investment Bank for Nigeria,” he said.
Adesina said the move underscores AfDB’s resolve to support youths who he believes are critical to the development of the country.