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Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) and former President Olusegun Obasanjo including other eminent Nigerians, have described a former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ahmadu Ali, as a fantastic Nigerian, who has done so well for his country in term of service.
Ali, a Medical Doctor and retired Colonel of the Nigeria Army, was born in 1936 in Gbobe in present-day Kogi state. A one-time Federal Commissioner of Education and the pioneer Director of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) created by the Gowon government in 1973.
The commendations came on Thursday on the occasion of Dr. Ali’s 82nd birthday anniversary and public presentation of a book titled “The Many Colours Of A Rainbow” – a biography authored by Gideon Tseja in honour of the Kogi state-born ex-soldier and politician – held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
General Gowon, who was the Father of the Day, described Ali as a “versatile young man”, who did “exceptionally well” during his headship of the NYSC, adding that he made Nigeria better.
For his part, the chairman of the occasion, former President Obasanjo paid glowing tributes to Ali, who he said worked closely with him during their military and PDP days, also describing him as committed and loyal Nigerian leading to the success of his administration.
“We were able to achieve what we achieved because of Ahmadu Ali’s steadfastness and loyalty. Not loyalty to me but loyalty to Nigeria as a country,” Obasanjo said.
A popular newspaper columnist, Mahmud Jega, who reviewed the book described it as one of the “most interesting, amusing, revealing and game-changing biographies” he had ever read.
Ali was joined by his wife, Dr. Mariam Ali and children to cut his 82nd birthday cake as moderated by the former First Lady of Kogi State and wife of the immediate past governor of the state, Mrs. Wada, after which the book was unveiled to the guests.
While responding, Dr. Ali challenged the youths to be up and doing in term of contribution to national development in their chosen areas of endeavor even as he described politics as no job, hence the youths must have what he called a “second address”.
“We have done our best for Nigeria. We expect you the younger ones to do your best. Have a second address. Politics is no job. We did our best and we are proud of what we have done,” Ali said.
Present at the occasion were the former chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi; former Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu; former Speaker of the House of Representatives Ghali Umar Na’abba; business mogul Dr. Umaru Mutallab; former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former governors of Kogi state Ibrahim Idris and Idris Wada; Dr. Sarah Jibril; Prof Jibril Aminu; Mrs Paulen Tallen; former governor of Katsina state Ibrahim Shehu Shema, among others.
Credit: Leadership
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