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Peter Obi Celebrates Obasanjo at 88 and Praises His Impact in Nigeria
Former Anambra State governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has celebrated Nigeria’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, on his 88th birthday.
Obi, in a heartfelt message shared on his X handle, described Obasanjo as a revered elder statesman and father figure whose contributions to Nigeria’s progress remain immense.
The former president, who governed Nigeria first as a military head of state from 1976 to 1979 and later as a democratically elected leader from 1999 to 2007, is widely recognized for major economic and political reforms that shaped the country.
Also, Obi mentioned some of Obasanjo’s achievements during his civilian presidency, noting how Nigeria’s economy grew significantly under his leadership.
According to Obi, when Obasanjo assumed office in 1999, Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at about $59 billion, with a per capita income of around $490, while the country’s foreign debt was approximately $32 billion.
However, by the time he left office in 2007, GDP had risen to $278 billion, per capita income had surged to $1,800, and foreign debt had been drastically reduced to $3.2 billion.
The country’s foreign reserves also saw a major boost, positioning Nigeria as a stronger economic player in Africa.
Obasanjo’s tenure was marked by various policies aimed at economic stabilization and debt relief. One of his most significant achievements was securing a deal with the Paris Club, which led to Nigeria’s debt cancellation, reducing the country’s financial burden.
His administration also introduced reforms in telecommunications, banking, and the oil sector, leading to increased foreign investment and economic expansion.
Beyond economics, Obi praised Obasanjo’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s unity and progress, stating that his sacrifices for a better Nigeria and Africa remain remarkable.
The former president has remained active in national and international affairs even after leaving office, often offering advice on governance, democracy, and peacebuilding across the continent.
Concluding his message, Obi wished the former president more healthy, fruitful, and happy years ahead, praying for God’s continued blessings upon his life.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to late Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs, recalling his contributions to the creative industry and his impact on Nigeria’s cultural identity.
In his tribute, Tinubu described Jacobs as a giant of the Nigerian creative industry and said “He was a giant of the Nigerian creative industry. His passing is a great loss to Nigeria, the African film industry and the global community of lovers of the performing arts. His remarkable body of work will continue to speak to generations yet unborn.
“The nation recognises the enormous contributions of Nigeria’s creative practitioners to the country’s cultural identity, global image and economic development. Olu Jacobs played a big role in creating this identity.”
Human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency over the proliferation of counterfeit and substandard drugs and consumer products in Nigeria.
Adeyanju also called for the removal of the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, as well as the heads of other regulatory agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).
“Nigerians are being exposed to dangerous products daily, from fake and substandard medicines to unsafe consumer goods, with reports of drugs being sold wholesale in the open under the hot sun. No responsible government should expose its citizens to such risks and expect mortality rates not to rise.”
Adeyanju also called out NAFDAC over what he described as failures in regulating the circulation of counterfeit and substandard products in the country.
It can be noted that various counterfeit products continue to circulate in Nigerian markets, while NAFDAC has also reported seizures and destruction of counterfeit, expired and substandard products.
Lagosians have lamented heavy traffic caused by ongoing construction work at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Federal Government announced that repairs on the damaged expansion joints at Kara Bridge would begin on September 8, 2026. The project, initially scheduled to begin in August, was delayed to allow further traffic management planning due to concerns over its impact on motorists.
Since work began, traffic around the Kara area has become heavy, with Lagosians sharing updates on social media about spending two hours or more on the road.
Some commuters say the delays have made their 9-to-5 routines difficult, with several hours spent travelling to and from work.
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