Former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), raked in over N16bn from the launch of his presidential library and presentation of his book 'A Journey in Service,' held on Thursday in Abuja.

The donations received at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel venue of the event was mainly from Nigeria’s business elite and from many who benefitted from him during his reign.

Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote donated N8bn which will be paid as N2bn per year for four years, promising to continue to donate N2bn annually until the completion of the library, if it ever goes beyond four years.

The sum of N5b was donated by the chief launcher and the founder of BUA Group of Companies, Abdulsamad Rabiu, while the co-chief launcher and the founder of the TY Danjuma Foundation, Theophilus Danjuma, donated N3bn.

Businessman, Arthur Eze, gave N500m; Senator Sani Musa gave N250m Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, donated N50m; Deputy Senate President N20m: Senator Aliyu Wadada N10m.

Undisclosed amounts were also donated by notable figures such as Nigerian businesswoman and philanthropist, Folorunsho Alakija.

Other guests at the event included President Bola Tinubu and former presidents and military Heads of State such as Goodluck Jonathan, Yakubu Gowon, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar, Namadi Sambo and Yemi Osinbajo, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi and the Presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, and former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso were in attendance.

Keynote speeches were delivered by the former President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, and his counterpart, the former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Koroma, also graced the occasion.

ASA