A soothsayer once foretold that former military head of state, Gen Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.), would administer Nigeria.

Former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) stated this at the launch of Babangida?s autobiography entitled: ?Babangida, a journey in service? held Thursday at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

Abdulsalami, a classmate of Babangida at the Government College Bida recalled that while growing up 80 years ago told the gathering of eminent personalities including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that: ?It might interest you all that as far back as 62 years ago, a soothsayer told us that Ibrahim will be Head of state of the country.

?We never believed him because when me and him joined the military courtesy of Captain Gowon, a young dashing officer who came to woo us to join the military. All we hoped to get to was the rank of Captain and retire but God in his mercy we became Generals and by his grace both of us became Heads of state of this country.?

Abdulsalami expressed gratitude to Babangida for their friendship, brotherhood, adding that whenever he remembered their days together, it kept bringing smiles to his face.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who jokingly described himself as the most junior in the committee of Presidents, described Babangida as one of the most charismatic leaders in the country.

Referring to how Nigerians from all walks of life troop to Babangida?s residence in Minna for consultations, he paid glowing tribute to Babangida for mentoring Nigerians and contributing to the infrastructural development of the country.

Jonathan called on the authorities to establish a department in the Presidency to manage presidential libraries already established by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. (The Guardian)