Thanking God for the life of the former Nigeria's Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, the management and staff of Newskeeper Media Consult (NMC) has felicitated with the retired General as he marks his 83 years birthday.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Deputy Editor-in- Chief, NEWSKEEPER NIGERIAN BASED ONLINE Newspaper, S I Kabuga.
It reads "The management and staff of Newskeeper Media Consult (NMC) has extended it's warm felicitations to the former Nigeria's Military President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on his birthday anniversary as he clocked 83 on the earth."
NMC, which is a publisher of the Nigerian based online newspaper 'NEWSKEEPER' and the 'Newskeeper Hausa' joined other family and well wishers in celebrating the auspicious years of blessings for the icon, once nicknamed "Maradona."
It said "NEWSKEEPER Team, wish to extend our warmest felicitations to General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida on the occasion of your 83 birthday anniversary, born August 17th, 1941.
"As you mark another year of life, we pray that Almighty Allah grants you good health, wisdom, and continued service to our great nation. Your contributions to Nigeria's development and growth are still celebrated and cherished."
"May this special day bring joy, peace, and happiness to you and your loved ones. We hope your birthday is filled with love, laughter, and all your favorite things."
The statement quoted that, "History of the entire Nigerian Media Industry will not be completed without mentioning the roles (IBB) played during his reign as President (1985 - 1993) especially in laying the groundwork for the emergence of Private Media Organizations in Nigeria.
It's still on record, Sir, that, "Your media deregulation policies since then, the liberalization of the press, Introduction of the Nigerian Press Council decree (1990), broke the government's monopoly on broadcasting and paved the way for independent media outlets."
"This created an environment conducive to the growth of independent media, which played a vital role in promoting democratic values and holding leaders accountable."
The statement noted that IBB's policies, inadvertently contributed to the growth of private media in Nigeria.
Newskeeper's Team concluded that, "Today's democratic dispensation has benefited from those developments, with a vibrant and diverse media landscape that continues to play a crucial role in promoting democracy and good governance.
"Happy Birthday, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida ! May you continue to be a blessing to Nigeria and beyond."