Former president Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) and his family yesterday marked his 72nd birthday with special prayers. The president of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, was among the prominent Nigerians in attendance.
The prayers took place at his Minna, Niger State, residence ; the entire event was devoid of any elaborate celebration.
Dangote was the first prominent personality to deliver a congratulatory letter to Babangida at the prayers session conducted by Khadi Alikali Usman Wada Erena.
The khadi prayed Allah to grant the former leader long life and good health so he could continue his good work of counselling and guiding new-generation leaders.
Later in the day, Babangida received the deputy governor of Niger State, Hon. Ahmed Ibeto, who led members of the State Executive Council to pay him a special birthday visit.
Also present were his friends in Minna: former PAN chairman Alhaji Umar Ndanusa, Alhaji Mohammed Tako, former federal permanent secretary Abdullahi Maji, Hassan Talo, and vice chancellor of IBB University Professor Ibrahim Adamu Kolo.
IBB, who later rushed to Kano to attend a wedding, had on Friday told journalists that he would want to be remembered as someone who played his part and contributed his quota in Nigeria’s development and the military.
Asked to write his epitaph, IBB said:
“Here lies General IBB born in Minna, joined military profession in 1962, stayed there for 32 years, serving this great nation and, by the grace of God, he became a military president and served this country eight years. May his soul rest in peace.”
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