President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, paid glowing tribute to Prof Ibrahim Gambari on his 80th birthday, lauding his significant contributions to Nigeria’s diplomatic and governance landscapes in Africa.
Yesterday in Abuja, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris, Tinubu described Prof Gambari as a towering figure whose dedication to service has left an indelible mark on Nigeria and the global stage.
“Prof. Gambari has been an unwavering pillar of support for Nigeria, representing our nation’s interests with dignity and excellence. His service spans pivotal moments in our history, from eradicating apartheid in South Africa to shaping the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD),” he said.
The President highlighted Gambari’s extensive career, including his collaboration with four United Nations Secretaries-General and seven Nigerian heads of state and pioneering role as the first UN Under-Secretary-General for Africa.
Tinubu also recognised Gambari’s contributions to global peace, particularly his leadership in the UN Mission in Darfur, which remains one of history’s most extensive peacekeeping operations.
Also, former President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed his former chief of staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, for setting Nigeria on the path of respectability in Africa and the world by establishing a framework that connected the various initiatives in the military, economy, and nation’s soft power.
Buhari also praised Gambari for pulling the country out of its slumbering, backward-looking foreign policy mindset.
The former president stated this in a message read on his behalf by the former secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, at Gambari’s 80th birthday yesterday.
Buhari also pointed out that Gambari’s service as his chief of staff between 2020 and 2023 helped to enhance the presidency’s ability to achieve jointness and coherence in implementing policies.
“Today, I join the family, friends, mentees, former colleagues and students to celebrate the 80th birthday of Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, academic and diplomat who served as my foreign minister when I was the military Head of state, 1983 -1985 and as Chief of Staff from 2020 to 2023 while I served as the elected president.
“Today is the 80th birthday of the man who boldly pulled Nigeria out of its slumbering, backwards-looking foreign policy mindset and set it on the path of respectability in Africa and the world by putting in place a framework that connected the various initiatives in the military, economy and nation’s soft power.
“On becoming Foreign Minister, he quickly became the cynosure of all eyes in the world as one of the most dynamic leaders in the foreign policy realm. He displayed vigour and a sense of purpose through active participation in regional and intercontinental diplomacy.
“As Chief of Staff, he fit in effortlessly following the unfortunate demise of his predecessor, Abba Kyari, helping to enhance the ability of the presidency to achieve jointness and coherence in the implementation of policies. His organisational and command structure, as we call it in the military, were of tremendous value.
“He had his friends and his critics, but no one among them is in doubt of his outstanding academic and moral stature, a teacher who succeeded in shaping the minds of the young- and adults alike- with great dedication and impact.
“In wishing him a longer life in happiness and good health, I am hoping that many more Nigerians, the young ones in particular, would read about the leadership qualities encompassing a range of attributes, traits and skills of the man we celebrate today.”
