The Chairman, Governing Council, Prof. Peter Okebukola and the Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters have joined dozens of prominent personalities to felicitate with the former President, His Excellency, Chief (Dr.) Olusegun Obasanjo on his 85th birthday.
The birthday ceremony, which was marked on March 5, 2022, took place at the International Conference Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, in Ogun State, with Prof. Okebukola as anchor of the event.
The occasion also witnessed the presence of the President, Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, former President, Republic of Benin, His Excellency, Nicephore Dieudonne Soglo and Minister of State, Foreign Affairs for the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Shakbook Bin.
Also present were former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, Director-General, World Trade Organisation, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency Prince Dapo Abiodun and President of the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE), Prof. Goski Alabi.
African and Asian leaders, high-ranking political dignitaries, Monarchs, academics, families as well as well-wishers both in Nigeria and outside the country gathered to celebrate Obasanjo on his birthday.
The event also featured an International symposium titled: “Leadership and African Narrative in Development and Progress of Africa,”at end of which African leaders and notable guests took turns to express their wishes, gratitude and prayers to the “Baba of Africa,”extolling him on his positive impacts in Nigeria and the continent of Africa.
In appreciation to the celebrant for his efforts towards the development of distance education, he was presented with an award and gifts from the ACDE executive members, thanking him for his continued support in advancing ODL in Africa.
As part of his achievements in education development, a brief story of NOUN was displayed, showcasing Obasanjo's unwavering support for the institution and how he earned his PhD there after leaving office as President of Nigeria.
Delivering his remark, Obasanjo poured his heartfelt gratitude to his guests, especially to the African leaders for their energy, time and honour in celebrating with him.
He spoke on the influence and impact of positive leadership in building African nations and urged the leaders to constantly fight against corruption.
While in Abeokuta to celebrate with Obasanjo, the NOUN Vice-Chancellor, accompanied by some dignitaries, also visited the Abeokuta Study Ccentre and seized the opportunity to introduce the centre to the team and as well take a tour around the facilities.
Peters was accompanied by the President of ACDE, Prof. Goski Alabi, Executive Secretary of ACDE, Prof. Teresa Bitengo Mwoma, Director, Regional Training Institute for Open and Distance Learning,Prof. Christine Ofulue, Director, Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies, Prof.Eserinune McCarthy Mojajaye and the Director of McCarthy Study Centre, Prof. Rotimi Ogidan.
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