by Rachel Ogbu

As former President Olusegun Obasanjo turns 76 today, March 5, tributes have been coming in from dignitaries across the country.

The Northern States Governors on Monday said Obasanjo at his age was still the reference point on good governance, statesmanship, diplomacy, conflict resolution and prudent management of resources adding that he had lived a fulfilled life of service to Nigeria and humanity.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Danladi Ndayebo, Chairman of the forum and Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, said Nigeria had been lucky to have the former President at every “twist and turn in our march to nationhood”.

The statement reads:

“It is no longer news that in 1976, destiny beckoned on General Obasanjo to become Nigeria’s Head of State; an era that ushered in huge developmental drive in our journey to nationhood and in the exercise of greatness, he voluntarily relinquished power and handed it over to a civilian administration in 1979.

“He returned to the presidency in 1999 from the verge of death to the flourishing tree of democracy he planted, this time as the gardener and the nourisher.”

According to reports, the governors said Obasanjo legacies could be seen in all sectors of the economy and that they were pleased to be connected with the achievements of the former leader, especially his contribution to the deepening of the nation’s fledgling democracy.

They prayed God granted him excellent health, courage and many more years of selfless service to Nigeria and humanity.