Tinubu, Obasanjo, and Sanusi Hail Engineer Bart Nnaji on 70th Birthday for Power Sector Contributions

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former president Olusegun Obasanjo, and numerous other eminent Nigerians gathered in Enugu to celebrate Professor Bart Nnaji's 70th birthday. The event, themed 'Powering Tomorrow: 70 Years of Engineering the Common Good,' featured a symposium where Nnaji, Chairman of Geometric Power Group, received widespread praise.

“

Tinubu celebrates the innovator and administrator who brought integrity, brilliance, and discipline to his service to the nation as minister.

President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, lauded Nnaji as an innovator and administrator who brought integrity, brilliance, and discipline to his service as a minister. Tinubu highlighted Nnaji's pivotal role in the power sector, commending his foresight in pioneering and leading Nigeria's first fully vertically integrated electricity utility, the Aba Integrated Power Project. The President also acknowledged Nnaji's contributions to power sector reforms and his leadership in overcoming challenges.

“

So today, we are here to celebrate success. Today, we are here to celebrate excellence. Today, we are here to celebrate achievements. Today, we are here to celebrate an exemplary life that can be shown to other people that this is the way to follow. Bart, you have a lot of that. May success continue to attend your way.

Former President Obasanjo, who chaired the symposium, emphasized that the occasion was dedicated to celebrating Nnaji's success, excellence, achievements, and exemplary life. He remarked, "Bart, you have a lot of that. May success continue to attend your way." Vice President Kashim Shettima, in a goodwill message, recognized Nnaji's significant impact through the Aba Power Plant, which generates, supplies, and meters power for every customer. Shettima described the plant as a template for the country's power sector, which struggles with poor supply, collection, and investment.

“

The Aba Power Plant has become a template in the country’s power sector that is bedevilled by a vicious circle of poor power supply, poor payment collections and under investments.

The Emir of Kano, HRH Khalifa Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi II, delivered the keynote address, stating that Nnaji's achievements in the power ecosystem have earned him recognition from global corporations and financial institutions as an African success story. Speaking on 'Energy Security and Economic Growth,' Sanusi touched upon Nigeria's persistent challenges in providing steady energy, implying Nnaji's work offers a path forward. Other dignitaries attending included the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, and the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti.

“

Nnaji’s achievements in the power ecosystem have been recognised by global major corporations and multinational financial institutions as Africa’s success story.