It was naira storm on Thursday as former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, launched his much awaited autobiography, and held a fundraiser in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Billionaire businessmen Aliko Dangote, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and General Theophilus Danjuma, triggered the storm with prominent business leaders and some elder statesmen donating over N17 billion to the IBB Presidential Library Foundation.
The former military president got the windfall during the public presentation of his autobiography – ‘A Journey in Service’ – in what has easily become the greatest show of support for the man Nigerians dubbed ‘Maradona’ for his uncanny ability to spin political abracadabra.
While Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, led with the dizzying donation of N8 billion, Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, and co-launcher of the book, donated N5 billion to the IBB Presidential Library project. General Theophilus Danjuma, founder and Chairman Emeritus of the TY Danjuma Foundation, pledged N3 billion.
Dangote also pledged to continue his annual contributions of N2 billion if the library project extends beyond the initial four-year timeline.
The book presentation-cum-mega fundraiser, organised by the IBB Presidential Library Foundation, also featured former Nigerian heads of state, including Generals Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was chairman of the event in which former President Muhammadu Buhari was represented.
In his remarks, Dangote said: “Your Excellency, you were the architect of the private sector in Nigeria. Your policies, such as the abolition of import licences and the issuance of banking licences, enabled Nigerian businesses to thrive. Today, the private sector contributes 85% of Nigeria’s GDP, while the government contributes only 15%.”
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, commended Babangida for documenting his experiences in the book titled: ‘A Journey in Service’. He said though the book would serve as a valuable historical resource, it might elicit mixed reactions.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan also praised Babangida for the book and the Presidential Library initiative. He stated that Nigeria’s history would be incomplete without copious acknowledgement of the former military leader’s contributions.
Immediate past President of Ghana, President Nana Dankwa Akufo-Ado, was the keynote speaker.
