By ADEYEMI ADELEYE

President Bola Tinubu on Friday, joined dignitaries in Lagos to celebrate a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Chief Olabode George, on his 80th birthday anniversary.

Tinubu, whose address was read by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, at the birthday reception held at the Naval Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos, applauded George’s service to the nation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports George launched two books, including a memoir at the occasion.

Tinubu said he was delighted to honour George, whom he described as an elder brother and respected Lagos indigene.

“At 80, Chief George has lived a whole life. He dedicated his life to this country with a distinguished career in the military.

“As a leader of note and “Lagos boy’ as he has always proudly described himself, he has devotion and undisguised love for the country and his state of birth.

“Today’s event is thus a celebration of a distinguished Nigerian, and an outstanding politician,” Tinubu said.

He said George had lived a full life dedicated to serving Nigeria through distinguished military and public career.

The President said the celebration was a tribute to a patriot, statesman and outstanding politician.

Tinubu said he was pleased when he received George’s invitation to attend the event.

He said the invitation reflects the Lagos spirit of shared history and good neighbourliness.

Tinubu said the event showed that politicians could disagree, yet still uphold values that bind them as one national family, noting that he and George had been on opposite political sides since 1999.

Tinubu stressed that political differences never diminished his admiration for George as a leader.

He added that mutual respect had always existed between them despite years of political rivalry.

The President said he was happy that George marked his 80th birthday in good health.

He recalled George’s past vow to go into exile if he became President, saying he urged him then to stay in Nigeria, assuring him of his commitment to ensuring the country’s peace and prosperity.

Tinubu acknowledged that George had since offered valuable advice through various interventions on national issues.

The president described the memoir as a detailed account of George’s life, education and military service.

He said the book also covered George’s roles as military governor, PDP leader and former NPA chairman.

The President urged Nigerians to support the launch and wished George continued health and greater service to the nation.

NAN reports that George is a retired Naval Commodore, former Military Governor in Ondo State and former PDP Deputy National Chairman.

Other notable dignitaries at the event also included Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; former Govs Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sen Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) and Sen. Rabiu Kwankwanso (Kano).

Also at the event were the newly-elected PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, PDP National Secretary, Taofeek Arapaja; PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, retired military officers, friends and families.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Occasion, retired Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, eulogised George’s virtues of resilience and determination in his life journey.

Nwachukwu, who was represented Chief Dele Ogedengbe, a legal luminary and two-term attorney general of Ondo State, said that George demonstrated a life of resilience and determination in spite of all setbacks.

“Bode George has gone through a lot in life, prosecuted, convicted, imprisoned, yet he kept fighting until he was exonerated by the Supreme Court. Throughout, he remained steadfast and focused,” Nwachukwu said.

He urged Nigerians to emulate George’s resilience and determination and never give up in the face of any challenge.

NAN reports that George marked his 80th birthday with the review and launch of two books: Unfiltered: A Chronicle of Selected Speeches and Bode George: From the Craddle To the Seas, To the Podium, An Autobiography Of A Nigerian Trailblazer. (NAN)