Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, and several other prominent dignitaries were among high-profile attendees at the book launch of former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, held in Abuja on Saturday. The event attracted political leaders, senior government officials, and members of the diplomatic community.

Speaking at the occasion, Vice President Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, announced a presidential directive to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to allocate a suitable parcel of land in Abuja for the development of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Africa Resource Centre (AAARC).

According to him, the initiative is part of efforts by the Federal Government to honour Abdulsalami Abubakar’s legacy and institutionalise his contributions to peacebuilding, democratic governance, and national stability.

The proposed Africa Resource Centre is expected to serve as a platform for research, dialogue, and policy engagement on peace and governance issues across Nigeria and the African continent.

The event was widely attended by notable figures who paid tribute to Abdulsalami Abubakar’s role in Nigeria’s transition to democracy in 1999 and his continued efforts in conflict resolution and regional diplomacy across Africa.