President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), on his 84th birthday.
In a statement issued on behalf of the president by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the president joined the family members, friends, and associates of Babangida to celebrate the milestone, noting that his eight years in office had an indelible mark on Nigeria’s socio-economic and political growth.
Tinubu praised the former leader’s illustrious military career where he had been an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), commander of the 4 Reconnaissance Regiment, commander of the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, director of Army Staff Duties and Plans, and ultimately chief of army staff.
He also cited the regime of Babangida, recalling his massive investment in infrastructure like the construction of the Third Mainland Bridge and sweeping reforms that opened the Nigerian economy.
The president also credited IBB with the establishment of some of the country’s cornerstone national institutions such as the State Security Service (SSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), as well as the creation of new states and the relocation of the federal capital from Lagos to Abuja.
President Tinubu appreciated Babangida for his sacrifices and leadership and prayed Almighty Allah to grant him more years of good health and renewed energy.
