AWC Statehouse Desk, March 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended warm felicitations to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the occasion of his 89th birthday, marked on March 5.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, President Tinubu rejoiced with the elder statesman, describing his towering influence in Nigeria, across Africa, and globally as significant and enduring.
The President highlighted Chief Obasanjo’s courage and sacrifices in service to the nation. He recalled the former leader’s tenure as Nigeria’s military Head of State from 1976 to 1979, during which he successfully handed over power to a civilian administration in 1979. President Tinubu also noted Obasanjo’s return to leadership as Nigeria’s first civilian president in the Fourth Republic, serving from 1999 to 2007.
According to the President, Chief Obasanjo’s historic experiences remain remarkable, including his role in leading troops at the warfront to preserve Nigeria’s unity, his imprisonment for speaking out against tyranny, and his sustained advocacy for Africa’s political and economic advancement on the global stage.
President Tinubu further acknowledged the former President’s continued contributions to national development through his writings and public interventions, which he said reflect deep patriotism and a lifelong commitment to nation-building.
As Chief Obasanjo turns 89, the President prayed for more years of good health, strength, and wisdom for the elder statesman, expressing hope that he will continue to serve Nigeria and humanity with distinction.
