Three ex-African leaders, Asian envoys for Obasanjo’s 83rd birthday

TRACKING___Three former African leaders and envoys from Asian countries are billed to attend various activities lined up to commemorate the 83rd birthday of former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

They include former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; former Sierra Leonian president, Ernest Bai Koroma, and former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn.

A new book, “The Asian Aspiration” co-authored by Obasanjo is also scheduled to be launched during the events in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, next week.

The Director, Centre for Human Security and Dialogue, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Prof Peter Okebukola, disclosed this to reporters yesterday ahead of the ex-president’s birthday celebrations scheduled for March 3 to 5.

Okebukola, a former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), said ambassadors from China, India and some Asian countries have also been invited to grace the occasion.

He noted that Obasanjo’s birthday since leaving office in 2007 had been used as a platform to promote development agenda relevant to the growth and advancement of Nigeria, Africa and the world in general.

According to him, Sirleaf, Koroma and Desalegn will deliver keynote addresses at the birthday.

He added that an international policy roundtable will be organised by CHSD, with the support of The Benthurst Foundation.