The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, one of his predecessors, Senator David Mark and Senator Tunde Ogbeha have felicitated with former Military President General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on the occasion of his 81st birthday.
In separate statements issued in Abuja, Wednesday, the trio thanked the Almighty God forgranting Babangida the grace of marking his 81st birthday in good health after many years of meritorious service to Nigeria.
They wished him many more years of service to his father land in advisory capacity.
Specifically, the Senate President in his own message said: “I felicitate our elder statesman, former President Ibrahim Babangida, as I join members of his family, friends and associates in rejoicing with him on the auspicious occasion.
“We thank the Almighty Allah for keeping him in good health after his great accomplishments in the service of our beloved country, Nigeria.
“I pray Allah to grant him many more of this day so that our nation may continue to draw from his wealth of knowledge, wisdom and experience.”
David Mark and Ogbeha in their own statements described Babangida as
a leader of all seasons.
They appreciated his vision, wisdom and courage in leadership pointing out that “his transformation agenda through socio political and economic programmes during his regime remains reference point decades after he left office.”
General Babangida, they said, is undoubtedly a patriotic Nigerian who believes and works for the peace and unity of Nigeria, adding that he never betrayed ethnic or religious sentiments.
According to them “Babangida was fair and firm. He never compromised competence or merit. He always craves for excellence.”
They listed his transformation programmes to include but not limited to Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Directorate of political and social mobilization (MAMSA) now National Orientation Agency (NOA) as well as actualisation of the movement of the federal capital territory from Lagos to Abuja.
They were pleased to note that Babangida has continued to make his reservoir of knowledge and wealth of experience in leadership and administration available for the younger generation to learn from.
