President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, joined dignitaries in Lagos to celebrate a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Olabode George, on his 80th birth anniversary.

Mr Tinubu, whose address was read by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the birthday reception held at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, applauded Mr George’s service to the nation.

Mr George launched two books, including a memoir at the occasion.

Mr Tinubu said he was delighted to honour Mr George, whom he described as an elder brother and respected Lagos indigene.

“At 80, Chief George has lived a whole life. He dedicated his life to this country with a distinguished career in the military.

“As a leader of note and ‘Lagos boy’ as he has always proudly described himself, he has devotion and undisguised love for the country and his state of birth.

“Today’s event is thus a celebration of a distinguished Nigerian and an outstanding politician,” Mr Tinubu said.

He said Mr George had lived a full life dedicated to serving Nigeria through a distinguished military and public career.

The president said the celebration was a tribute to a patriot, statesman and outstanding politician.

Mr Tinubu said he was pleased when he received George’s invitation to attend the event.

He said the invitation reflects the Lagos spirit of shared history and good neighbourliness.

Mr Tinubu said the event showed that politicians could disagree, yet still uphold values that bind them as one national family, noting that he and Mr George had been on opposite political sides since 1999.

Mr Tinubu stressed that political differences never diminished his admiration for Mr George as a leader.

He added that mutual respect had always existed between them despite years of political rivalry.

The president said he was happy that Mr George marked his 80th birthday in good health.

He recalled Mr George’s past vow to go into exile if he became president, saying he urged him then to stay in Nigeria, assuring him of his commitment to ensuring the country’s peace and prosperity.

Mr Tinubu acknowledged that Mr George had since offered valuable advice through various interventions on national issues.

The president described the memoir as a detailed account of Mr George’s life, education and military service.

He said the book also covered Mr George’s roles as military governor, PDP leader and former NPA chairman.

The president urged Nigerians to support the launch and wished Mr George continued health and greater service to the nation.

Mr George is a retired Naval Commodore, a former military governor in Ondo State and a former PDP deputy national chairman.

Other notable dignitaries at the event also included Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, former Govs. Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sen Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) and Rabiu Kwankwanso (Kano)

Also as the event were the newly elected PDP national chairman, Kabiru Turaki, PDP national secretary, Taofeek Arapaja; PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, Adolph Wabara, retired military officers, friends and families

In his welcome address, the chairman of the occasion, retired Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, eulogised George’s virtues of resilience and determination in his life journey.

Mr Nwachukwu, who was represented by Dele Ogedengbe, a legal luminary and two-term attorney general of Ondo State, said that Mr George demonstrated a life of resilience and determination despite all setbacks.

“Bode George has gone through a lot in life, prosecuted, convicted and imprisoned, yet he kept fighting until he was exonerated by the Supreme Court. Throughout, he remained steadfast and focused,” Nwachukwu said.

He urged Nigerians to emulate Mr George’s resilience and determination and never give up in the face of any challenge.

Mr George marked his 80th birthday with the review and launch of two books: Unfiltered: A Chronicle of Selected Speeches and Bode George: From the Cradle, To the Seas, To the Podium, An Autobiography Of A Nigerian Trailblazer.

(NAN)