Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo revealed that he has always treated former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili like his biological daughter, IGBERETV reports.
Obasanjo said this in his birthday wishes to Ezekwesili on her 60th birthday celebration. Ezekwesili turned 60 on April 28, 2023.
“Obiageli Ezekwesili is like a daughter to me. Even when she was a minister, I treated her the same way I treated my biological daughters,” Obasanjo told newsmen.
“She was a dynamic young woman who is competent, reliable and very enterprising. As she, therefore, clocks 60 today, I cannot but thank God for her life, as I wish her more fulfilling and glorious years and decades ahead.”
Obasanjo revealed that he met Ezekwesili through Transparency International, an initiative launched by Peter Eigen, who had previously worked at the World Bank.
Obasanjo further revealed that it was “easy to warm up” to Ezekwesili due to her hard work and dedication to duty.
“I can recall with fond memories the role she played as Minister of Solid Minerals, and later as Minister of Education when we worked together to develop the education sector and to increase the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria,” said Obasanjo.
“She was never afraid to speak truth to power and she never lost sight of her goals.”
“May God continue to bless her with good health, long life and the resources she needs to continue her good works,” said Obasanjo.
Obiageli Ezekwesili co-founded of the #BringBackOurGirls campaign after over 200 schoolgirls were abducted in Chibok, Nigeria, in 2014. Ezekwesili, an advocate for women’s rights was also a former Vice President of the World Bank.
