On Thursday, the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja became a hub of prominent figures, as distinguished dignitaries from both national and continental arenas gathered to celebrate Nigeria’s former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida, during the launch of his memoir and presidential library.
Babangida’s 420-page autobiography, *A Journey in Service: An Autobiography of Ibrahim Babangida*, was unveiled with a stellar list of attendees, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan, Yakubu Gowon, and Abdulsalami Abubakar, along with former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo, and Yemi Osinbajo, who reviewed the book.
President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima were also in attendance. Notable business tycoons such as Aliko Dangote, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Tony Elumelu, and Folorunsho Alakija were among the many influential figures present, as well as politicians like Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
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Former President Muhammadu Buhari was represented at the event. Interestingly, while Babangida played a key role in the coup that brought Buhari to power, he was also behind the coup that ousted him years later.
International dignitaries, including former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, who delivered the keynote speech, and former Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Wonie Bio, also attended the launch.
A major highlight of the event was Babangida’s admission that the late philanthropist and democracy champion Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola had won the June 12, 1993, presidential election, which he annulled. Babangida expressed regret over his decision to annul the election, acknowledging it as one of the most challenging and painful moments of his life.
He stated, “Looking back now, the June 12 saga was undeniably the most challenging moment of my life and, in certain respects, one of the most painful. If I had to do it all over again, I would do it differently.”
He also expressed satisfaction that Buhari later recognized MKO Abiola as a former head of state.
The event culminated in lavish contributions, with billions of naira being donated toward the creation of the IBB Presidential Library.
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