Nigeria’s business magnates and political figures gathered at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja on Thursday to celebrate the launch of former Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s autobiography, A Journey in Service. The event also served as a fundraising platform for the proposed IBB Presidential Library, amassing over N17 billion in donations.
Leading the roster of donors, Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Limited, pledged a total of N8 billion. This commitment entails an annual payment of N2 billion over four years, with a promise to continue the support if the project extends beyond the initial timeframe.
Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, announced a generous donation of N5 billion. Similarly, former Minister of Defence, Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, contributed N3 billion to the library project.
Other notable donors included billionaire businessman Arthur Eze, who pledged N500 million, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, contributing N50 million. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau also supported the initiative with a N20 million donation.
The ceremony was graced by an array of distinguished guests. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo presided as the chairman of the occasion, while President Bola Tinubu attended as the Special Guest of Honour. The event also featured a keynote address by former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo.
In his remarks, Dangote lauded Babangida for implementing policies during his tenure that significantly empowered Nigeria’s private sector. He highlighted the abolition of import licenses in 1986 as a pivotal reform that spurred industrial growth and reduced bureaucratic hurdles for entrepreneurs.
Babangida, in his address, expressed profound gratitude to the donors for their unwavering support. He emphasized that the IBB Presidential Library is envisioned as a national repository, preserving Nigeria’s political and military history, particularly the narratives from his eight-year administration.
A Journey in Service delves into Babangida’s personal and political life, offering insights into his tenure as Nigeria’s only military president. Notably, the memoir addresses the contentious annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, providing readers with an intimate perspective on the decisions and challenges faced during that period.
The successful launch and the substantial funds raised emphasize the high esteem in which Babangida is held by Nigeria’s elite and reflect a collective commitment to preserving the nation’s historical legacy through the establishment of the presidential library.
NewsGlobal Reporters