IBB to Launch Memoir, Host Presidential Library Fundraising
Kehinde Fajobi
Former military president Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) is set to unveil his long-anticipated autobiography, A Journey in Service, on February 20 at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja.
The launch coincides with the 32nd anniversary of Babangida’s departure from office.
The event, organised by the Board of Trustees of the IBB Presidential Library Foundation, will also feature a fundraiser for a presidential library.
The book launch will be chaired by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, with President Bola Tinubu serving as the special guest of honour.
Former Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo will deliver the keynote address, while former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will review the autobiography.
Dignitaries expected to attend include former Nigerian Presidents Muhammadu Buhari, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Goodluck Jonathan.
Chief launchers for the event are former Defence Minister Theophilus Danjuma and BUA Group Chairman Abdul Samad Rabiu.
This marks a shift from Babangida’s previous hesitance about publishing his memoir.
Eight years ago, in an interview with Channels Television, he expressed concerns about public reception, citing perceptions of his leadership during his 1985-1993 tenure, particularly regarding the annulled June 12, 1993, election.
“People may not read it because it is coming from a dictator. A
lot will say dictator, he cancelled June 12, and that will kill the book,” he said at the time.
Addressing the June 12 election controversy, Babangida said, “If God spares my life, I will discuss June 12 because I still believe people don’t get what we were trying to put across.
“Nobody has ever sat down to say the two persons involved are friends, what went wrong? We tried to rationalise why we had to do what we did, but nobody is prepared to listen to us.”
Babangida’s upcoming memoir aims to shed light on his time in office, offering a detailed account of his leadership and addressing longstanding questions about pivotal moments in Nigeria’s history.