Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who turned 76 on
Tuesday, told his admirers at a birthday function in Abeokuta that on two
occasions in the past, opponents of either his person or projects had apologised
to him.
Tuesday, told his admirers at a birthday function in Abeokuta that on two
occasions in the past, opponents of either his person or projects had apologised
to him.
He, therefore, gave assurance
that he would continue to triumph despite all odds.
that he would continue to triumph despite all odds.
Responding to toasts and
speeches after a three and a half hour programme at the launch of a book,
‘Olusegun Obasanjo – the Presidential Legacy – 1999-2003’, at the Olusegun
Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in the Ogun State capital, he vowed to use
the last drop of his blood to preserve the unity and progress of Nigeria, first
and foremost, and then Africa and the world in general.
speeches after a three and a half hour programme at the launch of a book,
‘Olusegun Obasanjo – the Presidential Legacy – 1999-2003’, at the Olusegun
Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in the Ogun State capital, he vowed to use
the last drop of his blood to preserve the unity and progress of Nigeria, first
and foremost, and then Africa and the world in general.
Activities marking his birthday
programme climaxed with the presentation of prizes to winners of competition
and debate on human security in Africa by colleges and universities across the
continent.
programme climaxed with the presentation of prizes to winners of competition
and debate on human security in Africa by colleges and universities across the
continent.
The book on the former
President was co-edited by Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Oladipo Akinkugbe,
and Ahmed Joda.
President was co-edited by Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Oladipo Akinkugbe,
and Ahmed Joda.
It was written by former
Commonwealth Secretary General, Emeka Anyaoku, and 199 other scholars.
Commonwealth Secretary General, Emeka Anyaoku, and 199 other scholars.
Obasajo spoke with an anecdote
of a popular Christian song, saying, “In our early days we used to sing: Bo keyin kan lenu mi, maa sin Jesu dandan (if it remains only one tooth in my mouth,
I will worship and praise the Lord Jesus’.”
of a popular Christian song, saying, “In our early days we used to sing: Bo keyin kan lenu mi, maa sin Jesu dandan (if it remains only one tooth in my mouth,
I will worship and praise the Lord Jesus’.”
He modified the song: ‘Even if
it remains the last breadth in me, I will work, preserve and promote the unity
and progress of Nigeria, work for Africa’s development and indeed promote
humanity.’
it remains the last breadth in me, I will work, preserve and promote the unity
and progress of Nigeria, work for Africa’s development and indeed promote
humanity.’
Obasanjo recalled how one of
those opposed to the OOPL apologised to him.
those opposed to the OOPL apologised to him.
He added that “the man who was
to hang me also came to apologise to me.”
to hang me also came to apologise to me.”
Corporate Nigeria, represented
by businessmen, Femi Otedola and Jim Ovia, technocrats, academics, members of
the diplomatic corps as well as the art community and traditional institutions
paid respect to Obasanjo at the launch.
by businessmen, Femi Otedola and Jim Ovia, technocrats, academics, members of
the diplomatic corps as well as the art community and traditional institutions
paid respect to Obasanjo at the launch.
Former Governor of Cross River
State, Donald Duke, reviewed the book for Ovia to launch and present.
State, Donald Duke, reviewed the book for Ovia to launch and present.
Anyaoku said he obliged to
write on the Obasanjo years from the perspective of foreign policy “because I
was there when he was an actor on the global platform,” recalling how he
chaired the 70th birthday of the celebrant in Abeokuta six years ago.
write on the Obasanjo years from the perspective of foreign policy “because I
was there when he was an actor on the global platform,” recalling how he
chaired the 70th birthday of the celebrant in Abeokuta six years ago.
In a toast, former judge of
the World Court, Bola Ajibola, said the image of Obasanjo he saw when the
latter came to him, when they were both young, to say he was going to the army
was that of someone on a suicide mission and “I took pity on him.”
the World Court, Bola Ajibola, said the image of Obasanjo he saw when the
latter came to him, when they were both young, to say he was going to the army
was that of someone on a suicide mission and “I took pity on him.”
Ajibola recalled also how the
Ota farmer was a flagship at the Baptist Boys High School, by virtue of being
the librarian.
Ota farmer was a flagship at the Baptist Boys High School, by virtue of being
the librarian.
Ajibola’s toast was
corroborated by the Olubara of Ibara, Oba Jacob Omolade, another classmate of
Obasanjo, who hinted that “poverty bound us together even though we were mates
and friends.”
corroborated by the Olubara of Ibara, Oba Jacob Omolade, another classmate of
Obasanjo, who hinted that “poverty bound us together even though we were mates
and friends.”
Steve Oronsaye, Dora Akunyili,
Bucknor Akerele and a host of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, among
them Olagunsoye Oyinlola, graced the launch together with the Owa Obokun of
Ijeshaland among others.
Bucknor Akerele and a host of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, among
them Olagunsoye Oyinlola, graced the launch together with the Owa Obokun of
Ijeshaland among others.
President Goodluck Jonathan,
while congratulating Obasanjo, said Nigeria owes him an enduring debt of
gratitude for his sacrifices to national peace and stability.
while congratulating Obasanjo, said Nigeria owes him an enduring debt of
gratitude for his sacrifices to national peace and stability.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of
Edo State also described him as “an outstanding statesman who has dedicated
himself to the ideals of national unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.”
Edo State also described him as “an outstanding statesman who has dedicated
himself to the ideals of national unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.”
Jonathan, in his letter of
congratulations, commended the former President for ever being ready to offer
his services for the growth and development of the country.
congratulations, commended the former President for ever being ready to offer
his services for the growth and development of the country.
“On behalf of my family, the
government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and on my own behalf,
I write to express warm felicitations to you on the occasion of your 76th
birthday anniversary which comes up on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.
government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and on my own behalf,
I write to express warm felicitations to you on the occasion of your 76th
birthday anniversary which comes up on Tuesday, March 5, 2013.
“Over the years, you have
always readily given of yourself to the cause of the peace, stability, growth,
and development of our country, Nigeria. For this, we owe you an enduring
debt of gratitude.
always readily given of yourself to the cause of the peace, stability, growth,
and development of our country, Nigeria. For this, we owe you an enduring
debt of gratitude.
“As you celebrate with family,
friends and well-wishers, I pray that Almighty God continues to guide, guard,
and prosper you, even as He blesses you with many more years of robust health
and abiding fulfillment,” Jonathan wrote.
friends and well-wishers, I pray that Almighty God continues to guide, guard,
and prosper you, even as He blesses you with many more years of robust health
and abiding fulfillment,” Jonathan wrote.
Also in a congratulatory
message to the former President, Oshiomhole said: “I am pleased to felicitate
with Your Excellency and convey the good wishes of the government and people of
Edo State on this auspicious occasion of the celebration of your 76th birthday.
message to the former President, Oshiomhole said: “I am pleased to felicitate
with Your Excellency and convey the good wishes of the government and people of
Edo State on this auspicious occasion of the celebration of your 76th birthday.
“I join your family,
relations, friends, associates and admirers across all generations in Nigeria
to thank the Almighty God for preserving you thus far and wish you a happy
memorable birthday, excellent health and peace of mind.”
relations, friends, associates and admirers across all generations in Nigeria
to thank the Almighty God for preserving you thus far and wish you a happy
memorable birthday, excellent health and peace of mind.”
Source: Daily Independent
