President Muhammadu Buhari has sent birthday messages to Professor Tamunoemi Sokari David-West who was Nigeria’s former Petroleum minister and Pastor Sunday Coffie Mbang, former Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, both of who have turned 80. This is even as the President leaves for Nairobi Kenya on Saturday to attend the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI).
Statements from the Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina described Professor David-West as eminent academic, as he recalled, with fond memories, his long term relationship with the Professor, when he served as Minister of Petroleum, 1984 from 1985.
The President commended Professor David-West’s steadfastness and forthrightness on issues of good governance, democracy, human rights and the unity of Nigeria, especially when some seem to easily give up on the project of building one great nation.
“President Buhari assures the octogenarian that his place in Nigeria’s history is guaranteed for the statesmanship, fearlessness, intellectual depth, resourcefulness and versatility that he brought into public discourse.
President Buhari congratulated Pastor Mbang for attaining the ripe age of 80 in good health and a rich legacy of a life lived in the service of God, his nation and humanity.
He said that as a former Prelate of the Methodist Church and President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, the legacy Mbang which include his working towards reconciliation, reconstruction and revival in all leadership positions, captures the central message of the Bible, which is love.
President Buhari assured the former Prelate that his efforts in pursuing unity in the body of Christ and the country will always be remembered by posterity, especially in co-chairing Nigeria’s Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), a government body responsible for the promotion of inter-faith dialogue.
The President also commended the courage of the His Eminence in always speaking out against tyranny, corruption and social ills like immorality, cultism and drug abuse in the country.
He prays that the almighty God will grant Mbang good health and more years of service to his father land.
Meanwhile, the Nairobi summit which would run through to August 28, was co-organised by the Government of Japan, the United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Africa, the United Nations Development Programme, the African Union and the World Bank. It will focus on promoting structural economic transformation through diversification and industrialisation; promoting resilient health system for quality life and promoting social stability for shared prosperity.
During the conference, President Buhari will participate in plenary sessions on TICAD in alignment with African Development, the Dialogue with the Private Sector as well as the Global Launch of the Second Africa Human Development Report.
The President will also hold a bilateral meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.
The statement from Adesina said that no fewer than 35 African leaders are expected at the two-day high level summit which will also be attended by leading private sector companies from Japan.
This will be the first time TICAD is being held in Africa since its inception in 1993.
Nigeria has played a prominent role at the forum aimed at forging international partnerships for Africa’s transformation and prosperity through economic growth, agriculture and social stability. [myad]
