President Bola Tinubu on Saturday directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to allocate a parcel of land along the Airport Road in Abuja for the development of the Abdulsalami Abubakar African Resource Centre, and pledged that the Federal Government would fund the construction of the facility.
The President gave the directive while speaking as Special Guest of Honour at the public presentation of three books in honour of former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), held at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, to mark his 84th birthday.
Tinubu who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said, “The establishment of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Africa Resource Centre is a worthy initiative that aligns with the values General Abdulsalami Abubakar has championed throughout his life.
“In recognition of its importance, I hereby direct the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to allocate a very huge piece of land within the Federal Capital Territory along the Airport Road for the development of the centre and the advancement of its mission.“
He further disclosed that he had already reviewed the building plan for the proposed structure and committed federal funding for its construction.
In his remarks, Tinubu cited Abubakar’s legacy within a broader reflection on leadership and national character, describing the values exemplified by the former military leader as foundational to Nigeria’s public life.
The President said, “As we celebrate your remarkable life and legacy, we are reminded that nations are built not merely by those who hold power, but by those who exercise it with restraint, integrity, and a sense of duty to future generations. Those qualities are defined in our public life.”
He also praised the authors of the three books presented at the event for documenting Abubakar’s contributions to Nigerian history, saying, “I also commend the authors of the books being presented today for preserving an important chapter of our national history and ensuring that future generations can learn from the example of a leader whose life embodies service before self.”
Saturday’s event, themed “The Legacy of a Statesman @84,” featured the public presentation of three books: ‘Call of Duty: An Autobiography of Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar,’ with a foreword by former military President Gen. Ibrahim Babangida; ‘Nigeria’s Grand Patriot: Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar’; and ‘Mediating for Peace in Africa: A Festschrift in Honour of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar,’ reviewed by Professor Ibrahim Gambari, CFR.
The programme was chaired by former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and featured a keynote address on “Democratic Transition and Peace Building in Africa: The Place of General Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar,” delivered by former South African President, Thabo Mbeki.
Abubakar served as Nigeria’s 11th Head of State following the death of Gen. Sani Abacha in June 1998, and is widely credited with overseeing the transition that restored civilian rule in Nigeria, handing over to President Olusegun Obasanjo on May 29, 1999.
