Obasanjo and his wife at the birthday event

By Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

Former Vice-president of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was the star donor today at an event in Abeokuta to mark the 79th birthday of  his boss, Olusegun Obasanjo.

It was at the symposium organised  by Centre for Human Security,a brain child of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL.

Atiku represented by Akin Kekere-Ekun, chairman Board of Trustees American University of Nigeria, donated N25million to the NGO.

His donation opened the floodgate for other donations.

Dr. Bukola Saraki,Nigeria’s  Senate President announced the donation of his March salary to the NGO.  Saraki was represented at the event by Lanre Tejuoso, the senator  representing  Ogun Central Senatorial District. It was not clear whether Saraki only donated his basic salary or his entire pay packet for the month.

Senator Godswill Akpabio, former governor of oil-rich  Akwa Ibom state  also announced that the donation of his March salary.

Akpabio then went on to eulogise Obasanjo, as a man who loves justice, adding that, “the ruling class believes in his leadership, vision and prophecy”.

He  recalled how Obasanjo assisted him in defeating  57 other aspirants during the primaries that earned him the governorship ticket of the state in 2007 and how every stakeholder was  bribed to oppose him. But he said  Obasanjo supported him.

Other  dignitaries took  turns to eulogise the man, with so many appellations.

Both the Ministers of Science and Technology and Transportation; Chief Ogbonnaya Onu
and  Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi  described the former President as an institution, a gift to Nigeria and a detribalized Nigerian.

“Obasanjo is a man who has become an institution, a special gift that God gave to Nigeria. At every time the nation faces challenges, God has used Obasanjo to get us out of the problem and there are so many paths to this unique personality”, Onu said.

Other dignitaries at the event included the host governor,Senator Ibikunle Amosun; the acting National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress,APC, Engr.Segun Oni; former governors  Olagunsoye Oyinlola of Osun,  Liyel Imoke of Cross River and Bala Ngilari of  Adamawa.

The Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami and the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum,PGF and  governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha were all represented at the colourful event.