15th September, 2024
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday paid visits to two prominent figures, former military president Ibrahim Babangida and the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion to celebrate their birthdays.
The Esama of Benin turned 90 on Sunday, while Babangida marked his 83rd birthday last month.
Due to prior commitments abroad, Obasanjo was unable to attend Babangida’s birthday on August 27. He used the opportunity of his return to visit both Benin and Minna on Sunday.
According to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo first visited Benin, where he joined family, friends, and well-wishers at a Thanksgiving Mass officiated by the Catholic Archbishop of Benin Diocese in celebration of Chief Igbinedion’s milestone.
In his private remarks to the Esama, Obasanjo congratulated him on his 90th birthday, noting that the large turnout of people at the event was a testament to Igbinedion’s lasting legacy.
After the Benin event, Obasanjo traveled to Minna, Niger State, to visit Babangida.
During his visit, Obasanjo acknowledged Babangida’s contributions to Nigeria and expressed his delight at the former leader’s good health.
He explained that his absence on Babangida’s actual birthday was due to his international engagements, but he took the opportunity to extend his prayers for continued good health and long life.
