Former president Goodluck Jonathan has hailed ex-military president Ibrahim Babangida over the launch of his memoir and believes Nigeria’s history is incomplete without the former’s story.
Jonathan said this in Abuja on Thursday during the launch of a book by Babangida titled, ‘A Journey in Service”.
“So, Ibrahim Babangida as we all know, is one of the most charismatic leaders in this country. He is somebody that, up to date, people go as if they are going on a pilgrimage to consult him. We thank God for giving him that grace and the wisdom to continue to mentor people,” Jonathan said at the event which also doubles as the launch of Babangida’s presidential library.
“In terms of leadership, Nigerians know you have contributed significantly in terms of the infrastructure development of this country and social mobilisation. We cannot write the history of Nigeria without dedicating a reasonable part to your service as the president of Nigeria,” he said. “You’ve done well!”
‘You’re helping us’
According to him, with the launch of the book, the former head president has contributed immensely to the documentation of the country’s rich history.
“So, if you contribute to the documentation of the history, it makes your history stronger, more relevant,” the ex-president said.
“So, today, you’re helping us,” the former Bayelsa governor told the gathering which included past and present leaders.
Jonathan thanked the former president for launching the presidential library.
He called on other leaders especially ex-presidents to key into building a presidential library.
According to him, this will aid in better documentation of Nigeria’s history.
The former governor of Bayelsa asked the Federal Government to help in the management of these libraries as it is done in several parts of the world.
“They are a source of history. If any scholar wants to know what happens at a segment of history, he goes to the presidential library,” he said.
