President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the visionary leadership style, wisdom and disciplined outlook of a former Head of State, Genral Yakubu Gowon, kept the country as one.
In a statement on Friday, in Abuja, by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the president congratulated family members, friends and associates of the “exemplary leader” on the occasion of his 85th birthday.
The president commended the former Head of State for his faith and steadfastness in God in times of adversity and for courageously pursuing the interest of the majority of Nigerians for a unified and stronger country.
According to him, the elder statesman laid a solid foundation for the country to thrive with the creation of federating units and implementation of futuristic policies like the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC).
In the same vein, President Buhari congratulated renowned businessman, Sir Kessington Adebutu, on his conferment with the title of the Odole-Oodua by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The president’s message to Adebutu was contained in a separate statement, on Friday, by Mr Adesina as he felicitated family members, friends and business associates of Sir Kessington for the title, which was held in the past by the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
The president urged the businessman to keep up the good work that heralded such a worthy recognition.
He greeted the wives of the businessman, Dame Caroline Adebutu and Yeye Kofoworola Adebutu, who are also conferred with the titles of the Yeyemode-Oodua and the Yeyerewa-Oodua, respectively.
He also commended Adebutu for setting up a “foundation that caters for the weak and vulnerable and for his adventurous spirit of delving into unattractive ventures and turning them into areas of employment and profitable careers.”
