Obasanjo Sings El-Rufai’s Praises: You Helped My Administration Succeed In Privatisation

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has extolled the virtues of Governor Nasir El-Rufai as a committed administrator and successful politician.

Obasanjo recalled how El-Rufai, as the first Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) during his first term, helped his administration achieve success with its privatisation programme.

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The former president also noted that while serving as the minister of the Federal Capital Territory during his second term, the Kaduna State governor achieved giant strides in infrastructure in the nation’s capital. 

Obasanjo said these in his congratulatory message to El-Rufai who clocked 60 years of age on Sunday. 

“Over the years, I have followed, with keen interest, your modest inspiring career as a professional architect, community leader, administrator and politician. And I note, with special delight your demonstration of rare qualities of commitment and courage in the public service in various capacities,” Obasanjo said in the birthday message made available to journalists by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi.

“Under my watch as a democratically-elected President of Nigeria, you made a great success of our privatization programme as the Director-general of Bureau of Public Enterprises, which resulted in the liberalisation of our nation’s economy and our being able to meet some of the challenges of globalisation and tackling the problem of poverty in our land.

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“I must also applaud the giant strides in terms of infrastructural and socio-economic development which the Federal Capital Territory FCT, recorded under your focused administration as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. I salute the uncommon sense of duty and patriotism demonstrated by you at enhancing sanity in the physical development at the FCT.

“Without any doubt, as the incumbent governor of Kaduna State, you have contributed to the well-being of your people, especially in the implementation of populist programmes and infrastructural development in the state.”

Obasanjo further urged Governor El-Rufai to do everything within his powers to address the security challenges facing Kaduna state. 

“I can only implore you not to rest on your oars and to re-double your efforts as the Chief Executive of one of the most politically restive states in the North West of the country to ensure peace, stability and security in the state until we collectively, propel our dear country to the promised land.

“I trust you will continue the good work you are doing to the glory of God and to the benefit of our people,” said the former president. 

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