Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, has felicitated with the former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, on his 70th birthday anniversary.

Governor Bello eulogised the leadership quality of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader, whose political affiliation, according to him, cuts across the nation’s political parties, religion or tribal divide.

A Bridge Builder

A statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Jibrin Ndace, said that Gana had remained politically relevant not only to Niger State, his place of birth in particular but to the country in general. He was also described as a bridge builder.

According to him, “Professor Jerry Gana has over the years remained a relevant force in the democratic evolution of a modern Nigeria. He has within his adulthood age built bridges across the six Geo-political regions of the country.

“A totally detribalised leader, our elder statesman, an erudite scholar, political mobiliser and administrator par-excellence has remained the shining light of our people,” the Governor said.

Governor Bello, recalled that since he came to public limelight, during his days as the Director General of the defunct Directorate of Food, Road and Rural Infrastructure (DIFRRI), the Professor of Geography had continued to be a force in the political landscape of Nigeria.

“I recall with nostalgia the way he handled his assignment at DIFRRI, which led to the opening up of many rural communities. His contributions to the development of modern democratic ethos as a founding father of one of the nation’s political parties, where he served as the founding Secretary to the party’s Board of Trustee (BOT) indeed qualified him as one of Nigeria’s bright leaders.

“He injected a new drive into public information management during his stint as the Minister of Information. His ability to play with words remain legendary in recent time,” Bello said.

The Governor wished the elder statesman a long life, saying that Nigeria will continue to tap from his wealth of experience.