Aliyu Aziz, immediate past director-general (DG) of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has eulogised Iya Abubakar, a former minister of defence, as he marks his 90th birthday.
In a tribute titled ‘Celebrating a visionary at 90,’ Aziz described Abubakar as a symbol of “intellectual brilliance, visionary leadership, and boundless dedication to the advancement of education, technology, and nation-building”.
“I am particularly privileged to be one of the greatest beneficiaries of the Iya Abubakar Computer Center – an incredible institution that was far ahead of its time,” he said.
“It is astonishing to recall how he procured and established what was then the largest computer in Africa, a CDC Cyber 72 series with a remarkable 64 kilobytes of memory.
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“This technological marvel was accompanied by a line printer capable of printing 1,200 lines per minute, a digital plotter, and a suite of high-level programming languages such as FORTRAN, COBOL, PASCAL, BASIC, and APL, among others. His foresight and determination revolutionized computational capacity in the region and inspired countless minds, including mine.”
The former NIMC DG also highlighted Abubakar’s diverse contributions to Nigeria’s growth, describing him as a scholar, statesman, and leader whose influence shaped policies and institutions that continue to benefit the nation.
“His dedication to education, research, and national development serves as a beacon for all of us striving to make a difference in our various fields,” he added.
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“On this momentous occasion of his 90th birthday, I salute his monumental achievements and enduring legacy. May he continue to inspire us all with his wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment to excellence.”
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