By Dan
Amor
To live on this sinful earth for 80 years (whether it is
original or official age) is no mean achievement, especially in these terrible
times when conditions have sapped real life out of comparative existence
leaving the average lifespan of a Nigerian at just 55. But here is General
Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (retd.) celebrating 80 years with pomp and pageantry
in the midst of family members, friends, associates, former colleagues and
country men and women. Since Tuesday August 17, his date of birth, Nigerians
from all walks of life have paid tributes to this former military President,
from varied perspectives.
*Babangida
It is only natural that we greet such a human dynamo with
overwhelming gusto. Happy 80th birthday anniversary to General Babangida. I
have read big, meaty, skillfully conceived and carefully executed tributes to
the gap-toothed former maximum ruler, constantly relating them to the larger
story. Some have treated his story with compassion and with a critical probing
pen and have achieved brilliantly their aim of following Babangida’s long journey
out of the innocence of his turbulent years. Yet, since men must do their work
in warmer temperatures, cold light may not be a sufficient condition for the
study of men’s lives.
