By mercy Peter
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has congratulated former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR, on the occasion of his 85th birthday, describing him as an elder statesman whose contributions remain significant to Nigeria’s contemporary history.
Idris, in a statement issued on Monday by his Special Assistant (Media), Rabiu Ibrahim, said Babangida’s decades of military service, national leadership and subsequent engagement in public affairs had secured him an important place in the country’s political and institutional development.
The Minister noted that Babangida’s career spans critical periods in Nigeria’s history, adding that his experiences in leadership and public service provide valuable lessons for successive generations on the complexities and responsibilities involved in nation-building.
According to Idris, the former Military President has, even decades after leaving office, continued to engage with issues of national importance, particularly those relating to Nigeria’s unity, stability and development.
He also commended Babangida for what he described as his enduring faith in Nigeria and his continued interventions in support of national cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
“General Babangida remains an important voice in our national journey, and at 85, we celebrate his service, his statesmanship and his enduring commitment to a united Nigeria,” Idris said.
The Minister said the former Military President’s perspectives, shaped by his long experience in national leadership and public service, remain relevant to ongoing conversations about Nigeria’s development and unity.
He acknowledged the importance of drawing lessons from the country’s political history as Nigeria continues to confront contemporary challenges and pursue a more stable, prosperous and cohesive society.
Idris further described Babangida as a figure whose life and public service have been intertwined with several defining moments in Nigeria’s post-independence history, noting that his continued interest in national affairs reflects his commitment to the country.
The Minister wished the former Military President many more years of good health, peace and fulfilment, while praying that he would continue to enjoy the affection of his family and the goodwill of Nigerians.
General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, popularly known as IBB, served as Nigeria’s military president from 1985 to 1993. His administration remains one of the most consequential periods in the country’s political history, with its policies and decisions continuing to feature prominently in national discourse.
As he marks his 85th birthday, the Information Minister’s message adds to tributes recognising Babangida’s longstanding role in Nigeria’s political history and his continued engagement with national issues.
