A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has congratulated former Military Head of State, retired Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), on his 84th birthday.
In a statement issued on Monday in Lagos, George described Babangida as a patriot, visionary, and selfless leader who contributed immensely to Nigeria’s political and economic development.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Babangida served as Nigeria’s eighth Commander-in-Chief from 1985 to 1993. George, a retired Commodore, was Military Governor of the old Ondo State from 1987 to 1990 during Babangida’s administration.
He said the octogenarian’s leadership style was defined by “persuasion, charisma, and a high intelligence network,” noting that IBB mobilised Nigerians toward national goals with courage and innovation.
“As Head of State, he was bold, resolute, persistent, communicative, inspirational, magnetic, open-minded, imaginative, collaborative, and goal-oriented,” George said.
The PDP chieftain recalled learning valuable lessons while serving under Babangida, stressing that the former leader also played a key role in stabilising democracy in West Africa through the deployment of ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) troops to Liberia during its civil war.
“I join millions of your admirers to celebrate you as you clock 84 years. You have made invaluable contributions to the economic and political development of this country, right from when you joined the Nigerian Army in the 1960s. Even today, you continue to mentor the younger generation to add value to our democratic system,” George said.
He further praised Babangida’s record in state creation, noting that he increased the number of states in Nigeria from 19 to 30 between 1987 and 1991, while also establishing several agencies to promote national development.
