Tag: Olusegun Obasanjo

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I Didn’t Know Former Head Of State, Gowon Intervened To Spare My Life – Obasanjo Says

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed his gratitude to General Yakubu Gowon for his support and intervention during Obasanjo’s imprisonment under General Sani Abacha’s regime.

We had reported on Friday that Gowon disclosed how he wrote to Abacha, pleading for Obasanjo’s life to be spared, a fact that Obasanjo was unaware of until Gowon revealed it at an interdenominational Christmas Carol organised by the Plateau State government.

Gowon had revealed that he wrote a letter to Abacha and sent it through his wife, Victoria, pleading for Obasanjo’s life to be spared.

However, on Saturday, Obasanjo expressed his gratitude to Gowon, acknowledging that he had been thanking those who had appealed for his release, but he was not aware of Gowon’s personal efforts.

While also commending Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State for organising the event, which brought people together in joyful worship, the former President emphasised the importance of faith and community in overcoming challenges.

He said, “I want to acknowledge my boss, General Yakubu Gowon. Yesterday, he gave us here a revelation, and I have to thank you especially for that. Because when I came out of prison, I had the opportunity, both while I was in prison and after my release, of hearing about friends inside and outside who contributed to appeals and prayed for my release.

“And I went around the world, thanking those who had been pointed out to me as having appealed and prayed for my release from prison. I did not know that you wrote a personal letter for my release until you said it yesterday. I thank you for that.”

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Despite Leaving $70bn in Nigeria’s Coffers, We Owe More Debt Now – Obasanjo

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed disappointment with Nigeria’s current debt size.
Obasanjo recalled he left the nation with about $70 billion, including a $45 billion reserve and $25 billion in a designated “excess crude” account.
The former President spoke on Thursday in an exclusive interview with Kayode Akintemi of News Central Television.
Obasanjo, who lamented the poor quality of leadership in the country, said his government met a debt overhang of close to $36 billion but reduced it to about $3.5 to $3.6 billion before leaving office in 2007.
His words: “I came in 1999 and met $3.7 billion in the reserve. And I have told you, we were spending $3.5 billion to service the debts. That’s what we had.
 
“By the time we left eight years later, with debt relief, when I came in, we had a debt overhang of close to $36 billion. By the time I left, with the debt relief and clearing what we had to clear, the quantum of debt that I left was about $3.5 to $3.6 billion from over or around $36 billion.
 
“At the same time, the reserve that was $3.7 billion when I came in went to $45 billion. At the same time, we had what we called “Excess crude”, which is what is in excess of what we budget and what we actually sell the crude. Normally, we are conservative in budgeting, we call it “Excess crude”. So, we had in it about $25 billion. When you add that to the reserve, we are talking about $70 billion.
 
“Now, the point is that I left in 2007. Today between 2007 and 2024, all that amount of money has gone; all of it. Not only that, but all the money they made all that period had gone. And today, we owe more than we owe when we came to government in 1999.”
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I Did Not Want It – Obasanjo Reveals Sponsors Of Third Term Ambition

Ex-President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has spoken on the controversy surrounding his purported ambition for a third term in office.

There have been claims that Obasanjo was nursing a third term as president, and the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, also admitted to stopping the agenda.

However, in an interview with Kayode Akintemi on News Central Television on Thursday, Obasanjo said he would have gotten a third term if he had pushed for it but did not want it.

He attributed the report of nursing a third term to some governors who were secretly working towards extending their terms in office.

According to him, the governors believed that if he (Obasanjo) secured a third term, they would also benefit from an extended tenure.

Obasanjo noted that getting debt relief for the country was much more complicated than getting a third term, adding that his government could get debt relief for Nigeria when he was in office.

He said, “If I had wanted a third term, I would have gotten it. I didn’t want a third term. I know some governors working for this, believing that if I, as president, got a third, they would also get it.”

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El-Rufai Visits Obasanjo In Abeokuta (Photo)

On Sunday, Nasir El-Rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

 

El-Rufai visited Obasanjo at his home in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

 

This was disclosed by El-Rufai’s media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, via his X handle.

 

The post, which had pictures from the visit, was captioned, “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo today welcomed Malam Nasir #elrufai to his Abeokuta home.”

 

The visit is coming after the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, installed El-Rufai as the Gbobaniyi of Ijebuland.

 

 

 

El-Rufai said he’s the first Nigerian outside the Southwest to be conferred with the chieftaincy title.

 

The former governor had posted on X, “WEEKEND ANNOUNCEMENT: I am also privileged to be the first Nigerian outside of South-West of Nigeria to be conferred with a chieftaincy title by the Awujale in his nearly 64-year reign.

 

“I am to be recognized as the Gbobaniyi of Ijebuland. I am grateful to Kabiyesi Awujale for the recognition and thank all those who have wished me well for this.

 

“Please join me, Jimi, and our families and friends in prayers for a hitch free event, and good health, long life and prosperity of His Majesty Awujale and all of us. – Nasir @elrufai”

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Nigeria’s Younger Generation Will Never Get Power Unless It’s Positively Disruptive – Obasanjo

Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has encouraged the younger generation to run for office to retire the older generation in power.

According to him, leadership is very important both in the private sector and the  military, adding that the younger generation will never get power if they do not get it now.

The youth should run for elections in Nigeria and must not say they are too young to run at 55, Obasanjo said.

“If you can’t run, what time do you have to run? You have to be positively disruptive but not through violence. If they call you leaders of tomorrow, don’t accept it.

If you don’t get it now, you will never get it. How do you need to make those to make uncomfortable uncomfortable? That’s the solution”, he said on Thursday, November 30 while featuring as a guest speaker during an inter-generational dialogue and emerging political leaders fellowship, an initiative of The Bridge Leadership Foundation convened by a former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke.

Obasanjo faulted critics who described Nigeria as a geographical expression.

He said, “Every country has history of how they come about. So, tell me which country isn’t a geographical expression. No other alternative to Nigeria, it’s our country.

“My generation: I won’t say it’s a perfect generation, but we fought for the unity of Nigeria…Say whatever you like, we, including, the military which people say caused ‘katakata’, fought for the unity of Nigeria, we also laid the foundation for democracy in Nigeria. Generations after us, what will they claim? Between the generations, there’s gap, space, and values to be bridged. That is why our gathering like this is important.

“Many people don’t believe in Nigeria and if you don’t believe in Nigeria, why would you talk about something you don’t believe in? You have to believe in Nigeria before we can talk about Nigeria. Some people still say that Nigeria is a geographical expression. Every country has history of how they come about. So, tell me which country isn’t a geographical expression. No other alternative to Nigeria, it’s our country.”

“Until I entered secondary school, I never saw telephone. The telephone never worked until I got to form 3. I never wore a pair of shoes until until secondary school. I grew up to be watching black and white television, and it was one station. When remote control became a means in TV, I never knew. But my children said I was old school”, he said.

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Nigerians Should Be Scared Of Leaders Without Fear Of God – Obasanjo

Ex-President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has said that a leader without the fear of God is dangerous.

Speaking at an event on Thursday in Abuja, the former president said it is important for a leader to have a close relationship with God.

Obasanjo added that a good leader must have certain characteristics such as knowledge, diligence, integrity and moral values.

He also urged Nigerian youths to believe in Nigeria and develop love for the country, saying there was no alternative to their country.

While advising Nigerian youths on leadership qualities, Obasanjo said, “Knowledge is very important, accurate knowledge. You also need the fear of God and proximity to God. When you are a leader and you do not fear God, then you are a dangerous leader.

“Wherever you may choose, leadership is very important and the principles are basically the same. A good leader must have certain characteristics, knowledge is good, but not enough. How diligent are you? What is your level of integrity? What are the values that you cherish?”

The former President said the way forward for Nigeria was for the nation not to lose.

He said: “Let us get it right and in two years we will forget everything. You have to get involved in everything.

“You are the leaders of today, if you don’t take it now, you will never get it. You have to be positively disruptive, don’t accept things the way they are. You need to make those who need to be made uncomfortable, uncomfortable.”

Obasanjo also called for a national discourse on Nigeria’s democracy, saying that the context and the content of the nation’s democracy should be addressed.

He said: “What is Nigeria’s history in democracy? What is Nigeria’s value? What is our culture in democracy? Let us rethink the context and the content of our democracy. Let’s interrogate, let’s ask questions. If you don’t do it, who else will do it?”

“Many people don’t believe in Nigeria. Don’t let us deceive ourselves. If you don’t believe in Nigeria, what do you want to talk about? You need to believe in Nigeria. Every country has a history of how they came about. We have to accept that Nigeria is ours; we love it, and we cherish it. We have no alternative.”

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Obasanjo Reveals Solutions To Africa’s Problems

Obasanjo

Olusegun Obasanjo

Ex-Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has spoken about how Africa can resolve its numerous challenges.

According to him, the continent’s problems are not too big to solve once homegrown solutions are adopted to confront Africa’s problems.

The former president said this on Wednesday while addressing a delegation of students and youths across African countries at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Obasanjo said leaders of the content should consider the various peculiar natures of the people to draw local solutions to the problem.

He said, “It is a great lesson for us to know that yes, whatever may be our problem – political, economic, social in Africa, we can solve them if we go about seeking solutions rightly.

“What is very important and which I want you to take very, very seriously is that what we were able to achieve in Tigray, the peace that we were able to achieve in Tigray between tplf and the federal government of Ethiopia is what you and I will regard as finding African solution to African problem. and this is what our leaders have been clamouring for, even from independence in the early 1960s.

“No problem in Africa is too great for us to solve where there may be problem of peace, problem of insecurity, problem of youths unemployment, youths lack of empowerment, youths lack of acquisition of skills, youths frustration and of course general bad governance.”

The delegation which included student leaders from Ethiopia and the Tigray Region was led by the President of the All-Africa Students Union (AASU), Osisiogu Osikenyi.

The students were on a “thank you” visit to Obasanjo for facilitating the Permanent cessation of hostilities agreement between the government of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF) in Pretoria last year.

In his remarks, the President of the Ethiopian Higher Education Institutions Students Union (EHEISU), Oli Bedane Wako, said the African students’ leaders paid a thank-you visit to Obasanjo over the role he played in the historic signing of the Pretoria peace agreement among the Federal Republic of Ethiopia and Tigray Liberation Fronts.

According to him, the deadliest war in the Tigray region of Ethiopia has brought immense tragedy, claiming the lives of countless young individuals and leaving behind widespread destruction and trauma.

He, however, noted the move initiated by Obasanjo has saved countless lives and provided a foundation upon which we can rebuild the war-torn region of Tigray.

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Strip Obasanjo of All Traditional Titles – Yoruba Group Tells Monarchs

Yoruba World Congress, a socio-cultural and pressure group of Yoruba descent has asked monarchs to strip former President Olusegun Obasanjo of all chieftaincy titles bestowed on him with immediate effect.
The group also mandated the traditional rulers to walk out of any event where he (Obasanjo) is present or has the power to use the microphone henceforth.
Recall that Obasanjo had on Friday, 15th September 2023 at an event in Iseyin, Oyo State commanded some traditional rulers to stand up and sit down.
Following public outcry, the former president was asked to publicly apologise to the traditional rulers.
YWC, has however advised the traditional rulers to strip the elder statesman of all the traditional titles bestowed on him without delay, over his failure to tender an apology.
The group in a statement signed by its Secretary General, Stephen Ajayi enjoined the traditional rulers not to honour any invitation not noble for the position they occupy and speak with one voice concerning the prestigious cultural heritage and the respect it deserves.
The group in the statement made available to DAILY POST on Monday, called on the National Assembly to enact a law for the creation of ministry for the traditional rulers.
“We in Yoruba World Congress Worldwide (YWC) established in the UK is by this open letter, reject and dissociate ourselves from the actions of Obasanjo and call for a revisit of the constitution as regards the traditional councils.
 
“We hereby call on the Federal House of Representatives and the Senate to as a matter of urgency create a Federal Ministry for the Traditional Rulers attached to the Presidency, to manage, secure and sustain our cultural values and heritage. This should have nothing to do with the State or ministries in the state so that our Royal Fathers can get back the respect they truly deserve.
 
“We have waited patiently for Olusegun Obasanjo’s sincere and remorseful public apology to the traditional rulers (our Obas/Kings) present at the event and to the Yoruba race as a whole for defying our cultural heritage in an embarrassing and inhuman manner publicly, which was never tendered. YWC hereby advice our Kabiyesis’ to:
 
“Walk out of any event that he (Obasanjo) is present or have the power to use the microphone. Not honour any invitation that is not noble for the position they occupy going forward.
 
“Speak with one voice concerning our prestigious cultural heritage and the respect it deserves.Strip Obasanjo off all Yoruba Chieftaincy titles bestowed on him with immediate effect”.
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I Became President By Accident – Obasanjo

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo has made a revelation about his political career.
He revealed that he never wanted to go into politics. According to the former military head of state, he became a politician of Nigeria by accident.
Obasanjo said this while speaking with a group of youths under the aegis of Africa for Africa Youth Initiative (A4A), at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta.
He said, “I never wanted to be a politician, I became one by accident, but the love of my people, love for my country and humanity made it something that I am coming into”.
The former President, therefore, said that politicians must aspire to go into politics to serve.
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I Didn’t Seek Job Under Tinubu – Obasanjo Denies Meeting President At Alake’s Birthday

Olusegun Obasanjo, a former President of Nigeria, has refuted the claims that he met President Bola Tinubu in Abeokuta on Thursday.

A viral video surfaced on the social media where it was alleged that Obasanjo and Tinubu met at the 80th birthday of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and promised to work for him if he offered him a job.

Reacting to the viral video on Saturday, Obasanjo described the video as fake, disjointed and sickening.

In a statement by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo condemned the video, saying the banter conversation took place between him and Tinubu when he played host to the former Lagos State governor in 2022, before the country’s 2023 general elections.

The statement quoted Obasanjo as saying that, “one, I have not seen Bola Tinubu since he visited me in my house in Abeokuta, when he was campaigning. Secondly, I was at the church and not the reception for Alake’s 80th birthday reception.”

The statement explained further that, “during Tinubu’s visit to his house last year, he met the former President playing his favorite traditional game (ayo) and he started the banter, jokingly telling the former President that, he was shocked to see him playing the Ayo game at that time of the day.

“Spontaneously, as he was getting up from his chair to welcome him and other accompanying visitors, Obasanjo responded: “when I don’t have job. If you are ready to give me job, I am ready to do it.”

This, Akinyemi said, was contrary to the meaning the viral video is putting out.

Akinyemi quoted Obasanjo as saying that, “I am not looking for work and I am not working with anyone as the fake news puts out. Those who are looking for people to work with Bola Tinubu should look outside Obasanjo.”