• Tinubu, Mbah, Abiodun salute ex-president
From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta and Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, declared that the Nigeria he dreamt about and desires would be actualised in his lifetime.
He acknowledged that the current situation in the country is precarious but expressed optimism that a prosperous nation that all Nigerians would be proud of what would happen while he is alive.
Obasanjo stated this at the launch and public presentation of two books – ‘Lest we forget: Slavery, Slave Trade, Emancipation and Reparation’ and ‘Nigeria: Past and the Future’ – he personally authored to commemorate his 88th birthday, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The event was attended by the former governor Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, former governors of Jigawa and Imo states, Sule Lamido and Emeka Ihedioha, respectively, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, among other eminent personalities within the country and abroad.
Obasanjo said Africa, especially Nigeria, should be careful in order not to be enslaved once again, noting that the continent is still suffering the effects of slavery.
He posited that all efforts must be made by African leaders to ensure that their people are not thrown into the second round of slavery.
He charged the citizens, particularly the youths, to play their roles patriotically towards ensuring that Nigeria as a country attains an enviable status in the comity of nations.
“Lest we forget, the lecturer brought it up vividly, why we should not forget slavery and slave trade, whether trans-Atlantic or trans-Sahara, they had the same effects on us.
“And he made the point strongly that if we forget, not only will we continue to suffer from the effects of what he called not an episode, but epoch, but not only that, we will be re-enslaved again in one form or the other. We haven’t come out of the ones we suffered, spanning about two centuries that we have suffered. It is for us to see, where we have all gone wrong without any exception as a group and then, is there a way out? And if there is, what is the way out? And if we know the way out, how do we get there and what should we do?
“But for me, I am an incurable optimistic about Nigeria. Yes, the situation is bad, no doubt, but I believe in my lifetime, we will have Nigeria that we will all be proud of.
“Let us bear in mind that as Nigerians, there is an obligation for us and if we do it well, we will have an enviable Nigeria in our lifetime”, the former president submitted.
Earlier in his lecture titled: “Echoes of the past, vision of the future: Reflection on slavery and colonization and Nigeria’s journey towards a promising future”, the guest lecturer and Director-General of Nigeria Institute for International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Eghosa Osaghae, reflected on where we were as a country; where we are and where we should be after colonisation.
While calling for a decolonisation of our minds, Osaghae, however, demanded for a new and united set of leaders that will form the new power bloc for good governance and also stop wallowing in the past among other demands.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State have joined other well-meaning Nigerians in congratulating Obasanjo.
In a statement he personally signed, President Tinubu described him as an extraordinary leader and statesman who has made enormous contributions to Nigeria’s development and whose life for the past six decades is woven deeply into the fabric of Nigeria’s history.
“Providence has constantly thrust Obasanjo to the forefront at critical junctures in Nigeria’s story.
“As a Colonel, fate beckoned on him while commanding the Third Marine Division to receive the instrument of surrender from Col. Philip Effiong, the Biafran Army Commander, signalling the end of Nigeria’s 30-month civil war.”
Tinubu said Obasanjo also made history as the military leader, who took over the reins of power following Gen. Murtala Mohammed’s death in 1976.
“He completed the administration’s transition programme and successfully handed power to a civilian regime in 1979.
“In 1999, 20 years later, he emerged as civilian president, freed from prison a year earlier, to herald the rebirth of another democratic dispensation, which recently clocked 25 years and still counting,” continued the President.
He stated that during the two eras, Obasanjo implemented critical policies and reforms and made important decisions that impacted the lives of many Nigerians.
“As the head of state, he consistently demonstrated a selfless commitment to national unity, peace and progress.
“Out of office, only a few will deny that the former president continues to wield considerable influence among the political elite at home and is well-regarded abroad, where he is an ambassador of global peace and a troubleshooter.
“His tireless efforts in conflict resolution, advocacy for good governance, and dedication to Pan-Africanism through institutions like the African Union and the United Nations are testaments to his statesmanship.”
He added that Obasanjo’s regular interventions in national affairs, which were sometimes controversial, had helped shape public policies and acted as a check on leadership.
Tinubu thanked Obasanjo for his contributions to Nigeria, and commended him for his statesmanship and leadership.
“At 88, the former president is still gaining strength. I pray that God Almighty will grant him the grace and strength to live for more years so the nation and Africa can continue to benefit from his wisdom and knowledge,” Tinubu said.
Similarly, Governor Mbah described him as not only a consummate nationalist but also Nigeria’s gift to the world.
Mbah stated this in his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, in Enugu.
“It is a great honour for me to felicitate former President, His Excellency, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, on his 88th birthday.
“ Obasanjo is an international icon, elder statesman, consummate leader, and quintessential global citizen, who by dint of tenacity, hard work, and fate, has played important roles in Nigeria’s political development and in shaping African and global affairs.
“He was the midwife of transition to democratic rule as a military ruler in 1979 and as a man of destiny, he emerged from a widely condemned incarceration to take up the onerous task of rebuilding Nigeria’s international image and economy.
“He was the first elected President in the current democratic dispensation in 1999.
“While you may not always agree with all his views, his love for his country and Africa as well as the fact that he speaks and acts from the depth of his conviction and conscience is never in doubt.”
According to him, it is my pleasure to salute and celebrate Chief Olusegun Matthew Okikiola Aremu Obasanjo, GCFR, the Balogun of Owu Kingdom, a pan Nigerian, unapologetic patriot, Pan-Africanist, and a man of courage and principle on his special day.
“On behalf of my family, government and good people of Enugu state, I pray God to grant him many more years in sound health that we may continue to draw from his wealth of knowledge, experience, and international goodwill.
“Happy birthday, Your Excellency.”
In his tribute, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said his administration would continue to be inspired by the achievements and legacies of the former President.
“History will continue to be kind to you because the story of Nigeria and your story is closely and intimately intertwined, and the name Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Obasanjo will remain indelibly entrenched in the minds of so many generations to come.
“Beyond your successful career in the military, you’ve continued to demonstrate that you are a true patriot, a leader who is irrevocably devoted to the advancement of Nigeria.
“Your role, particularly in being instrumental to the first civilian-to-civilian transition, remains a landmark achievement; one that underscores the commitment to democracy, governance, and national unity.
“Your resilience, your vision, and your relentless pursuit of excellence continue to showcase you as a statesman, an advocate for peace, security, and development. Your legacy, without a doubt, extends beyond Nigeria and Africa,” he said.
In their separate congratulatory messages delivered online, former President Goodluck Jonathan and the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, eulogized the former President as an apostle of peace and stability in Nigeria and in the diaspora, pointing out that his visionary and outstanding leadership is worthy of emulation.