How Abdulsalami Abubakar Helped Sierra Leone Remain As A Nation — Pres. Julius Bio

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented capably here by His Excellency Kashim Setima Mustapa, the vice president; the former president, General Yakubawan; former President Abdul Salami Abu Bakr, the celebrant that we are all here for; former President Olusegun Obasanjo, my dear big brother; former President Goodluck Jonathan, another friend and brother; former honorable vice presidents of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that are here today. Distinguished guests, please permit me to stand on the existing protocols. When General Abdul Salami Abu Bakr invited me to serve as guest of honor today, I did not hesitate. There are only a handful of individuals whose birthdays transcend personal milestones and become occasions of continental significance. General Abdul Salami Abu Bakr is one of them. Let me at the outset express my sincere appreciation to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for their warm hospitality and for hosting this important occasion in honor of one of Africa's most distinguished sons. The presentation of the three books is a fitting tribute to a life dedicated to service, peacebuilding, patriotism, and leadership. Your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, the fact that we are gathered here today at the State House is symbolic. This is the house General Abu Bakr could have kept, but he chose to give it back at the time. In 1998, when Nigeria stood at a defining crossroads, the authority of the state rested firmly in his hands. Yet he chose national interest over personal ambition, democracy over incumbency, and country over self. He walked out of this house so that Nigeria could walk forward. Perhaps one of the reasons I have always held General Abu Bakr in such high regard is because I understand the significance of that choice. I was once a military head of state and within three months I did what I could and handed over and left office. Having myself overseen a democratic transition, relinquished power to a democratically elected civilian government, I understand the weight of that decision. General Abdul Salami understands it because he lived it. And I understand the weighty nature of that decision because I have lived it. And both of us know that some of the greatest acts of leadership require a leader to step aside so that democracy may move forward. History rarely remembers leaders for the power they possess. History remembers them for the power they are willing to surrender in pursuit of a greater national purpose. That was what you did. Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I speak today not only as chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government. I speak as a Sierra Leonean. At a time when Sierra Leone was enduring one of the darkest chapters in its history, ECOWAS under Nigeria's leadership helped create the conditions for peace, stability, and democracy. And at a personal level, when General Abu Bakr was still in Lagos, I made several trips there when we needed help and he always responded positively. That is why we still have a country called Sierra Leone today. For that, my dear general, I say to you, Sierra Leone remains deeply grateful to Nigeria and to you personally. So, General, when I stand here today, I do so not only as a fellow head of state, I stand before you as a grateful son of Sierra Leone. On behalf of the government and people of Sierra Leone, I say Sierra Leone remembers. Sierra Leone appreciates and Sierra Leone is grateful. Your contribution to West Africa did not end when you left office. If anything, it deepened. From Liberia and Côte d'Ivoire to Togo and beyond, you became one of the region's most respected mediators and elder statesmen. You entered rooms where dialogue had broken down and where help was needed in order to find the pathway forward. That is why leaders across this continent seek your counsel today. Not because you held that office but because of the integrity, wisdom, and moral authority that you continue to embody even to date. My dear general and big brother, over the years I have come to know you not only as a distinguished statesman but as a remarkably humble leader, gracious and kind. In public life, you are admired for your statesmanship. In private life, you are respected for humility, decency, and kindness. At a time when societies around the world are grappling with questions of leadership and public trust, your life, which you have documented, offers an enduring lesson. Authority is temporary, but legacy is permanent, and yours has been documented. Thank you for being an example to all of us. Let me say this: there are children in Sierra Leone today who have grown in peace, attended school in freedom, participated in democratic elections, and dreamed boldly about the future. Many of them may never know your name, yet they are beneficiaries of your decision, the decisions that you took at the time. They are part of your legacy. And that perhaps is the greatest measure of leadership: to improve the lives of people you may never meet. I also wish to acknowledge your dear wife and family, whose support and sacrifices made decades of public service possible. We abandoned them in order to serve and they endure a lot at home, most times alone. Today, madam and the family, we honor you too. Your excellency, 84 years is a remarkable gift of life from God. But what you have done with those years is an even greater gift to Nigeria, West Africa, and Africa as a whole. You gave Nigeria a democratic transition that became a model for Africa. You gave West Africa an enduring example of constitutional order and restraint, and you gave Africa a living example of principled leadership. History will remember you not only as a former head of state but as a statesman who chose country over self, peace over conflict, duty over ambition, and service over power. For that, Nigeria is grateful, Sierra Leone is grateful, ECOWAS is grateful, and Africa is grateful. We are gathered here to celebrate the life and legacy of Abdul Salami Abu Bakr, our great general. Twenty-seven years ago, he made a decision that changed the course of history in this country and the continent. He helped give Nigeria stability. He helped give West Africa hope and he gave Africa an enduring example of principled leadership. Our continent and region continue to look at him as an example of leadership anchored in principle, humility, courage, and service. That is why we celebrate him today. That is why ECOWAS honors him today and that is why future generations will continue to study his life. Luckily, it has been documented for the lessons of courage, for the lessons of restraint, for statesmanship and the service that is in those documents. On behalf of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS and on behalf of the government and people of Sierra Leone, I extend our warmest congratulations on this remarkable milestone. May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant you continued good health, strength, peace, and fulfillment. May your wisdom continue to guide our region and may your example continue to inspire future generations. May your legacy continue to strengthen the cause of democracy, peace, and good governance across Africa. Happy 84th birthday, your excellency. ECOWAS salutes you. Africa honors you and our continent is better because you served. Congratulations.