Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has sent birthday wishes to former Minister of Education and former World Bank Vice President (Africa), Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, on her 60th birthday today, April 28.
Obasanjo revealed this in a statement on Friday where he likened Ezekwesili to his biological daughter due to her exceptional qualities.
“Obiageli Ezekwesili is like a daughter to me. Even when she was a minister, I treated her the same way I treated my biological daughters,” said Obasanjo.
“She was a dynamic young woman who is competent, reliable and very enterprising. As she, therefore, clocks 60 today, I cannot but thank God for her life, as I wish her more fulfilling and glorious years and decades ahead.”
Before her appointment as Minister, Ezekwesili worked with him in the Price Intelligence Unit, which was based in the Villa and was later renamed the Due Process Unit.
According to the former president, Ezekwesili gained the moniker “Madam Due Process” due to her devotion at work.
“Before I appointed Oby as a minister, I assigned her to work closely with me in what we called the Price Intelligence Unit, which she headed at the Villa.” It was then renamed the Due Process office, earning her the moniker ‘Madam Due Process’.
The goal was to reduce waste and increase transparency and accountability in contract awarding, which she accomplished admirably.
Obasanjo also spoke on how he first met Ezekwesili through Transparency International.
“I can recall with fond memories the role she played as Minister of Solid Minerals, and later as Minister of Education when we worked together to develop the education sector and to increase the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria,” said Obasanjo.
“She was never afraid to speak truth to power and she never lost sight of her goals.”
“May God continue to bless her with good health, long life, and the resources she needs to continue her good works,” said Obasanjo.
