Former Information Minister Jerry Gana was celebrated on Sunday night as he marked his 80th birthday, with associates, political leaders, and statesmen paying glowing tributes to his decades of public service. The event, held in Abuja, featured the unveiling of a commemorative book, “Jerry Gana, Stewardship and Integrity”, authored by Simon Musa to honour the former minister.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo lauded Gana as a man of “integrity, intelligence, and thoroughness.” Obasanjo noted that while politics often conceals wrongdoing, Gana has consistently maintained transparency and ethical conduct.
“He is a man of clean, clear ideas; a man of clean, clear behaviour and clean, clear relationships. Whatever task you give him, he will strive to do it to the best of his ability,” Obasanjo said.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan described Gana as a distinguished elder statesman whose life of service serves as a symbol of purposeful leadership and national inspiration.
The book was reviewed by former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who observed that it did not fully capture Gana’s ability to maintain friendships across successive administrations, nor his advisory role to Obasanjo during the controversial third-term agenda saga.
National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, described Gana as “a man of credibility and integrity, a politician’s politician, an icon, an enigma and an institution.” He emphasised that integrity and credibility, as exemplified by Gana, remain crucial for leadership in the party.
Former Governors Abdulaziz Yari and Aliyu Babangida also joined in the tributes. Yari encouraged Gana to consider joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to continue advancing public service, while Babangida highlighted Gana’s enduring legacy of vision-driven leadership since 1983, urging Nigerians to honour both Gana and God for his contributions.
The birthday celebration and book launch underscored Gana’s status as a respected elder statesman, whose decades-long commitment to integrity, service, and national development continue to inspire both current and future generations of Nigerian leaders.
