Associates, political leaders and statesmen on Sunday night paid tributes to former information minister Jerry Gana as he marked his 80th birthday.

They spoke at the unveiling of a book entitled ‘Jerry Gana, Stewardship and Integrity’, written by Simon Musa in Abuja to mark the former minister’s birthday.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo described Mr Gana as a man of integrity, very thorough, and intelligent.

According to Mr Obasanjo, all sorts of things happen in politics, while many wrongdoings are concealed under the guise of politics, adding, however, that Mr Gana does not cover up any form of misconduct.

“He is a man of clean, clear ideas; a man of clean, clear behaviour and clean, clear relationships, and for him, whatever task you give to him, he will try to do it to the best of his ability. So when he says to you, if you are a teacher, you teach well, he means it, and if you make him a teacher, he will also teach you well,” stated the ex-president.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan said that Mr Gana had been a distinguished elder statesman who dedicated many decades of his life to serving the country in various capacities.

Mr Jonathan said that at 80, Mr Gana’s life stood as a symbol of purposeful leadership and national inspiration.

The book’s reviewer, former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, said the book failed to explain how Mr Gana managed to be a friend of all administrations right from the military days. He said that the book was also silent on the role the former minister played as an adviser to Mr Obasanjo during the third-term agenda saga.

The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Tanimu Turaki, described Mr Gana as “a man of credibility and integrity, a politician’s politician, an icon, an enigma and an institution”.

“The new PDP will ensure that there is transparency, there is fairness, there is equity, and there is justice in whatever process we do,” said Mr Turaki. “If you have integrity, like Prof. Jerry Gana; if you have credibility, like Prof. Jenny Gana; if you have a brand, like Prof. Jerry Gana, that is all you need in the new PDP to make it to the ballot paper.”

Former Governor Abdulaziz Yari urged Mr Gana to join the ruling All Progressives Congress to further advance his service to humanity.

Former Governor Aliyu Babangida noted that the former minister had proven from 1983 to date that if one wants to succeed, a vision must be created. He said that what Nigerians should do for Mr Gana was to thank him, honour him and honour God for His creation.

(NAN)