Former President Chief Matthew Aremu Okikiolu Obasanjo 85th birthday soiree was held at Marriot Lagos, Ikeja Saturday evening.
The star-studded event was the climax of the day’s celebration preceded by a novelty football match in Abeokuta and an international symposium with the theme: ‘African Narrative With Nigeria Situation.’
The colorful dinner hosted by Lagos state Governor, Gov. Babajide Sanwolu of Lagos state,
had in attendance Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun of Sokoto and Ogun states.
Gov. Tambuwal felicitated with the octogenarian celebrant, saying that the people and government of Sokoto state “identify with you wherever you go.”
Describing the ex-President as “an institution” recognized within the country and abroad,” he wished him many more years of good service to humanity.
High profile Nigerians who graced the occasion include: Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Professor Benedict Oramah, the President and Chairman of the Board of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the executive director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Chief Segun Awolowo.
Distinguished politicians at the ceremony include: former Senate President, Olusola Saraki, who was accompanied by his wife, Toyin Saraki; and former Minister for Water Resources, Mukhtar Shagari.
Former Governors, some of who served President Obasanjo as ministers, were those of Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Ogun states: Peter Obi, Sen. Seriacke Dickson, Donald Duke, Sen. Liyel Imoke, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Emeka Ihedioha, Saminu Turaki, Sule Lamido and Otunba Gbenga Daniel respectively.
The business class too was not left out. The chairman and CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, businessman, philanthropist and former chairman of Forte Oil PLC, Femi Otedola as well as
philanthropist and ace banker, Jim Ovia showed up at the fete.
Media moguls: Chief Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi and Ben Murray-Bruce, proprietors of African Independent Television (AIT) and Silverbird Television, respectively, attended the bash.
So also did former Managing Director of the Nigerian Delta Development Commission (NDDC, Ndutimi Alaibe and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, pan-Yoruba Afenifere leader among many other high profile Nigerians.