GEORGE KAJO, Makurdi
The international community on Saturday gathered at the International Conference Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State, to celebrate the 85th birthday anniversary celebration of the former Head of State and President of Nigeria.
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has sponsored the State’s Council for Arts and Culture to fly the State’s flag at the event.
Principal Special Assistant to the governor on Culture and Tourism, Mr. Tahav Agerzua and the Executive Director of Benue State Arts Council, Mrs Monica Shanyô have led the international award winning performing troupe of the state to the event.
The troupe has presented Tsue-tsele, the solo Cat Dancer, and rounded up with the globally recognized Swange music and dance at the International Symposium.
The symposium with the theme, “Leadership and Africa Narrative in Development and Progress of Africa”, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director- General, World Trade Organization, delivered the lead paper at the event.
President Paul Kagame of the Republic of Rwanda presented a virtual keynote address with other political, friends and other stakeholders delivering congratulatory messages to chief celebrant, ex – President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The former president turns 85 years which many said he impact positively on the nation and beyond.
Reacting to the celebration, a political Scientist, Dr Tematswen Gbatar called on Nigerian leaders to learn from the model former president Obasanjo used in uniting ethic and interest groups in the country.
Doctor Gbatar noted that the diplomatic shuttles the then President made had paved the way for international communities to pay genuine attention to security challenges of that time and congratulated him on his birthday.