By Yahaya Umar, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has lauded frontline diplomat and ex-Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari for “promoting peace across the globe and making the world a better place”.
Tinubu, in a congratulatory message to Gambari, a former United Nations Under-Secretary-General on Africa, who celebrated his 80th birthday on Sunday, also stated that the statesman’s global footprint represents a remarkable asset for Nigeria on the country’s return to democracy 25 years ago.
The president represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, at a family reception organised to celebrate the renowned diplomat, appreciated the celebrant for his remarkable contributions towards Nigeria’s development and foreign service in numerous capacities.
According to Tinubu, “as a researcher and author, the man described as the United Nation’s favourite ‘dictator whisperer’, had long interrogated the challenges of governance in Africa and the wave of unrest in parts of the globe, beginning from coordinating the eradication of apartheid in South Africa as chairman of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid, among his numerous roles in his long, outstanding history of career diplomacy”.
He recalled that “our celebrant was once quoted as saying he considers himself an accidental diplomat, whereas his mien and personality, and even his manner of speaking, belong to one born to be a diplomat, a calming presence in tense situations, a diffuser of tension.
“25 years ago, at the threshold of returning to reckoning as a democratic nation, there were a few national icons whose global footprints represented a remarkable asset for Nigeria. Professor Gambari was one of them.
“Over the years, having worked with four UN secretary-generals, Professor Gambari’s iconic national service remains one of the most exemplary, earning him the prestigious record of working with seven Nigerian heads of government at different times of our history between military rule and civil democracy.
“Today, we celebrate a remarkable individual who has dedicated his life to serving our nation and promoting peace and understanding worldwide. As we mark this significant milestone of our esteemed diplomat, we honour not only your achievements, but also your unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
“Your dedication, expertise and passion for diplomacy have left an indelible mark on our country’s relationship with the global community. Your selfless service has inspired generations of diplomats and public servants”.
He stated that “we recall with pride how he flew Nigeria’s flag in several capacities, including being listed among notable policymakers and institutions of the continent to initiate the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, NEPAD, in his capacity as the very first Under-Secretary-General on Africa, as well as mediating in the world’s largest peacekeeping mission as a joint special representative of the UN Mission in Darfur”.
Tinubu prayed for Allah’s blessings to be with Gambari at all times.
Professor Gambari was born on November 24, 1944 in Ilorin. He is an alumnus of Government Secondary School, Ilorin, Kings College in Lagos, London School of Economics and Political Science, London (1968) and the University of Columbia, USA, for his M.Sc (1970) and Ph.D (1974) programmes.
His career began in the United States of America before moving to Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, where he later established the International Relations programme, among other achievements.
