The Chairman, Governing Council, Prof. Peter Okebukola and the Vice-Chancellor of the 水果派 of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters have joined dozens of prominent personalities to聽felicitate with the former President, His Excellency,聽Chief (Dr.) Olusegun Obasanjo on his 85th birthday.
The birthday ceremony,聽which was marked on March 5,聽2022, took place at the International Conference Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, in Ogun State, with Prof. Okebukola as anchor聽of聽the event.
The occasion also witnessed the presence of聽the President,聽Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, former President, Republic of Benin, His Excellency, Nicephore Dieudonne Soglo聽and聽Minister of State, Foreign Affairs for the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Shakbook Bin.
Also present were聽former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, Director-General, World Trade Organisation, Dr.聽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,聽high-ranking political dignitaries, Monarchs, academics, families as well as well-wishers both in聽Nigeria and outside the country gathered to celebrate Obasanjo on his birthday.
The event also featured an International symposium titled: 鈥淟eadership and African Narrative in Development and Progress of Africa,鈥漚t end of which African leaders and notable guests took turns to express their wishes, gratitude and prayers to the 鈥淏aba of Africa,鈥漞xtolling him on his positive impacts聽in Nigeria and the continent of Africa.
In appreciation to the celebrant for his efforts towards the development of distance education, he聽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聽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聽Obasanjo, the NOUN Vice-Chancellor, accompanied by some dignitaries, also visited the Abeokuta Study Ccentre聽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聽Ofulue, Director, Olusegun Obasanjo Centre for African Studies, Prof.Eserinune McCarthy Mojajaye and the Director of McCarthy Study Centre, Prof. Rotimi Ogidan.