SULTAN AT 70: General Tajudeen Olanrewaju Recalls Jaji Days, Hails Sa’ad Abubakar’s Leadership
By KEMI KASUMU
According to Olanrewaju, the Sultan’s discipline, courage and leadership qualities were evident from his military days and later reflected in his rise to the rank of Brigadier General and emergence as the Sultan of Sokoto.
Retired Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju, psc(+), ndc, MSc, Nigeria’s former Minister of Communications and General Officer Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division Nigerian Army, has celebrated the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, on his 70th birthday, describing him as a soldier, friend, patriot and nation-builder and peace maker.
Olanrewaju, who recalled their days in Jaji when he was a directing staff at the Staff College while the Sultan was on course as an officer at the Nigerian Army Infantry Centre and School, said their relationship grew further during the period.
He said their shared passion for football helped strengthen their bond beyond the formalities of military training at the time.
According to Olanrewaju, the Sultan’s discipline, courage and leadership qualities were evident from his military days and later reflected in his rise to the rank of Brigadier General and emergence as the Sultan of Sokoto.
He said he has always viewed Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar with renewed admiration because of the responsibilities attached to the Sultanate and his contributions to peace and national unity.
“I admire his spirit of leadership and, more importantly, his commitment to nation-building,” General Olanrewaju, also former Acting Military Governor Old Ondo State, said.
He commended the Sultan for consistently advocating dialogue, religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence and national unity, describing his journey from soldier to traditional ruler as remarkable.
Olanrewaju, also a soldier and military diplomat like the Sultan, prayed for His Eminence’s continued good health, wisdom, strength and longevity, while wishing him many more years of impactful service to Nigeria and humanity.
