Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
Former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) received over N17 billion in donations from some of Nigeria’s most influential figures during the launch of his autobiography, A Journey In Service.
Truth Live News gathered that the August event, held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, was both a book launch and a fundraising program for the IBB Presidential Library Foundation.
Major Donors & Contributions:
Aliko Dangote: N8 billion (N2bn annually for four years)
Abdulsamad Rabiu (BUA Group): N5 billion
Gen. Theophilus Danjuma: N3 billion
Arthur Eze: N500 million
Senate President Godswill Akpabio: N50 million
Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau: N20 million
Notable Attendees:
The event drew a host of dignitaries, including:
Former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo, who delivered the keynote address
Ex-Nigerian Heads of State, including Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Goodluck Jonathan
Olusegun Obasanjo, who chaired the occasion
Muhammadu Buhari, represented by Abdulsalami Abubakar
A Journey In Service offers insights into Babangida’s tenure (1985-1993), including his survival of two coups and governance philosophy. Many Nigerians are particularly eager to read his account of the June 12, 1993, election annulment, a controversial decision that prolonged military rule until 1999.
The significant donations and elite presence at the launch highlight Babangida’s lasting influence in Nigerian politics.