‎ By Hosea Parah
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‎President Bola Tinubu has described a former Minister of Power, Professor Bart Nnaji, “as one of Nigeria’s critical players in the power sector”.
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‎In a belated congratulatory message to celebrate Nnaji on his 70th birthday, Tinubu commended him for his contributions to the reforms in the power sector.
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‎”​Professor Nnaji, an engineer and Chairman of Geometric Power, served as Nigeria’s Minister of Power from 2011 to 2012.
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‎”He also chairs the Advisory Board of the Nigeria Prize for Science and is the Pro-Chancellor of Bells University of Technology, Ogun State.
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‎”In recognition of his expertise and patriotism, he was invited to participate in the Presidential Retreat for Ministers and other top government officials immediately after the President assumed office in 2023.
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‎”​President Tinubu celebrates the innovator and administrator who brought integrity, brilliance, and discipline to his service to the nation as Minister.
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‎”​Describing Professor Nnaji as one of the nation’s critical players in the power sector, the President states that the former Minister demonstrated foresight and keenness of mind through the Aba Integrated Power Project—Nigeria’s first fully vertically integrated electricity utility—a landmark project which he pioneered and led.
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‎”The project had experienced 20 years of delays, but was commissioned by Vice-President Kashim Shettima on behalf of the President in February 2024.
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‎”​The President commends Professor Nnaji for his contributions to reforms in the power sector and thanks him for leading the charge despite the challenges.
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‎”​President Tinubu joins family, friends, and associates to wish Professor Nnaji many more years in good health and even greater success in his future endeavours,” Tinubu said in the belated message signed by his Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, July 17.
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‎Daily NewsCraft reports that Nnaji celebrated his birthday on Monday, July 13.