President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Dr. Segun Osoba, a renowned historian, activist, and scholar, on the occasion of his 90th birthday, celebrated on January 9, 2025.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Dr. Osoba as one of Nigeria’s finest intellectuals, whose life and work have significantly contributed to the advancement of knowledge and the promotion of social justice in the nation.
Dr. Osoba, who retired as a history lecturer from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in 1991, has since continued his academic and advocacy work from his hometown of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. President Tinubu praised his enduring commitment to scholarship and his role in mentoring generations of Nigerians.
Highlighting Dr. Osoba’s contributions to Nigeria’s constitutional development, President Tinubu recalled his pivotal role as a member of the committee that drafted the 1979 Constitution. The President noted the historian’s strong advocacy for good governance and transparency, exemplified by his co-authorship of a minority report with Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman, which recommended the removal of immunity clauses for Presidents and governors and proposed a minimum age of 30 for political candidates. Although the military government rejected the report at the time, its principles remain a testament to Dr. Osoba’s foresight and patriotism.
President Tinubu commended Dr. Osoba’s unwavering dedication to Nigeria and thanked him for his tireless efforts to promote equity and justice. The President concluded by praying for Dr. Osoba’s continued good health and many more years of impactful service to the nation.