…Hails commitment to united Nigeria

 

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has congratulated former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, on his 85th birthday, describing him as an elder statesman whose years of military and political service remain an important part of Nigeria’s contemporary history.

Idris, in a statement issued on Monday, said Babangida’s journey from military service to national leadership and later statesmanship represented a significant chapter in the country’s political and institutional development.

Babangida, popularly known as IBB, was born on August 17, 1941, in Minna, present-day Niger State. He served as Nigeria’s military Head of State from August 1985 to August 1993. The State House records his tenure as spanning eight years, during which his administration pursued major political and economic reforms.

His years in office remain one of the most consequential and controversial periods in Nigeria’s political history, including the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme and the transition programme towards civilian rule. His annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election also remains one of the defining episodes of the period.

However, marking his 85th birthday, Idris focused on Babangida‘s continuing engagement with national affairs and his contributions to discussions around Nigeria’s unity, stability and development.

The Minister said the former military leader’s experiences in leadership and public service offered valuable lessons for younger generations on the complexities and responsibilities of nation-building.

Idris also acknowledged Babangida’s continued interest in national issues decades after leaving office, particularly his interventions on matters relating to 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.

He said Babangida’s long public career had given him a unique perspective on Nigeria’s political evolution and the challenges confronting 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.