President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, on his 85th birthday.

In a statement released on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu described the monarch as a key “symbol of unity, grace, and integrity” and saluted him for his contributions as a corporate leader and oil and gas expert.

The president noted that before he ascended the throne, as a traditional ruler, Mr Achebe served as a director of Shell Petroleum Company in Nigeria, as well as in several Shell subsidiaries across the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Liberia, and Angola.

Mr Tinubu praised the monarch’s constant efforts in peacebuilding, youth and human capital development schemes, and socio-economic development programmes aimed at fostering economic stability and growth.

He also acknowledged Mr Achebe’s contributions to national unity, as “a critical bridge between grassroots communities and government”, and praised his years of service in corporate administration, noting that his influence extends beyond Anambra to ensure good governance.

The president wished the ruler good health and strength.