Ex-leaders Birthday – Attah 80, Jonathan 61 – President Buhari’s Message To Attah @80

By Wisdom Peter,

In a report brought to Brainnewsradio, The former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah and the former President of the Republic of Nigeria, Rt. Hon Goodluck Ebele Jonathan celebrated their 80th and 61st birthday respectively yesterday.

Obong Victor Attah who’s seen by Akwa Ibomites as the ‘Father of modern day Akwa Ibom’ was highly celebrated all over the country.

In the heat of the celebration, The former Governor launched his new book titled “It Is Well With My Soul”.

The Current Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Deac. Udom Emmanuel was present at the event in Abuja leading a Cross Section of Patriots.

Other prominents present at the occasion are, APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, Former Governor of Ogun state, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige, Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, Former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, etc.

Ex-Governor of Ogun, Osoba while giving his speech at the event, hailed The Celebrant as a rallying force for governors against what he described as intimidation by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

According report from Vanguard, Osoba lamented the quality of persons emerging as governors in the country today, saying that excellence has taken a back seat in the recruitment process for governors and recounted how governors in those days rallied behind Attah and other Niger Delta governors to agitate for resource control.

In a statement, he said, “I want to appeal that we should go back to the characters that formed governments in 1992 and 1999. Twenty-six years ago, most of us who were governors had exposures. John Odigie-Oyegun was a former federal Permanent Secretary. I am a former Managing Director of Daily Times. I can go on to give you backgrounds of all those who became governors in 1999. We need to go back to those days.

“Today we are happy to celebrate a man of honour. In our time we did not know the differences in the party we belonged to and Obasanjo dared not play with any of us,” – Vanguard reports.

Senator Udo Udoma who is reported to have represented President Muhammadu Buhari at the occasion, said that Attah risked his life on defense of resource control.

Speaking further, Udoma said at the height of the agitation for resource control, Obasanjo summoned him, Attah and Senator Ibok Essien to the Presidential Villa in the presence of security chiefs and threatened to prosecute them if they did not back down on their demands.

The Celebrant also gave his speech, noting that governors could achieve much for their people by working together with their colleagues.

President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari also sent felicitations, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, Monday, said the former governor shaped the Infrastructural development in his state.

According to the statement as reported by Vanguard; “President Buhari joins family members, friends, professional colleagues and political associates of the former governor in celebrating the many years of service to God and humanity, and obvious impact of his leadership style.

“The President commends the strategic thinking and planning of Obong Attah and his cabinet in shaping the infrastructure development of Akwa Ibom, which still remains one of the most hospitable and attractive states for tourists in the country.’’

President Buhari affirmed that Obong Attah’s contribution to architectural development has been remarkable, and historical, especially his stewardship as the President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects, – Vanguard reports.

On the other hand, Goodluck Jonathan who celebrated 61 launched his new book “My Transition Hours”.