Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday, stated that though the situation of the country is bad, things can still be salvaged and Nigeria can still be great.
Describing himself as an “incurable optimist”, Obasanjo, who celebrated his 88th birthday on Wednesday, expressed hope that Nigeria will be great in his lifetime.
“For me, I am an incurable optimist about Nigeria. Yes, the situation is bad, no doubt, but I believe that in my lifetime we will have a Nigeria that we shall all be proud of.
“We must always bear in mind as Nigerians that there is duty and obligation, and if we do it well, we will have an enviable Nigeria,” Obasanjo said.
He made the remarks while presenting his new books, “Nigeria: Past and Future” and “Lest We Forget: Slavery, Slave Trade, Emancipation, and Reparation,” at the Centre For Human Security and Dialogue, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, as part of events celebrating the ex-President’s 88th birthday.
The event had in attendance Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Ogun State Deputy Governor Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyede, a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, a former governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, a former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, Labour Party presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Yusuf Datti-Ahmed, traditional rulers, captains of industry, among others.
In his speech, Obasanjo stated that in order to be great, the African continent must rid itself of all vestiges of colonialism and slavery.
He stated that the continent cannot continue to operate under the shadow of colonialism, feeling inferior and incapable of realizing its full potential or assuming its proper place in global affairs.
The former president further asserted that, contrary to popular belief, he was just 88 years old.
Speaking about his new books, Obasanjo said, “Part of our problems in Africa is what I may call residues of the slave trade, slavery, and colonialism, and until we can break ourselves completely away from it, we may not be able to make progress as we should do.
“We have to shrug off residues of colonialism and slavery; we have to do this so as not to be re-enslaved again after more than two centuries that we suffered the first one.”
Obasanjo said as one of the commentators on the lecture delivered at the event observed, the continent must look at decolonisation of our names.
“The AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, while rejoicing with me on this occasion, wants to continue to name me Matthew.
“I have no problem with his evangelical mission of who Matthew was as one of the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ but he was a tax collector.
“Now, we have Peter, who was a disciple even though he denied Jesus but was forgiven and became the rock. We have John. I don’t fancy the name Matthew, and I don’t know why my father didn’t name me Peter, John, Samuel, or Joseph. I would rather keep my name as Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Obasanjo.”
Obasanjo stated that he remains an incurable optimist about Nigeria getting out of the woods as long as the leadership demonstrates strong will to remain selfless and be committed to building a virile nation.
Speaking on his second book, ‘Nigeria Past and Future’, the ex-President said, “It is for us to see where we have all gone wrong without any exception as a group and then see if there is a way out, and if there is a way out, what is the way out and if we know the way out, how do we get there and what should we do?
“For me, I am an incurable optimist about Nigeria. Yes, the situation is bad, no doubt, but I believe that in my lifetime we will have Nigeria that we shall all be proud of.
“We must always bear in mind as Nigerians that there is duty and obligation, and if we do it well, we will have an enviable Nigeria.”
Obasanjo thanked those who graced the occasion, telling them not to believe what some people were saying, that he was older than 88.
“Don’t believe anyone saying I am older than 88; that I am 90. My mother said that I was born on Ifo Market day and I am Aremu and Kabiyesi, the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, was born on Itoku Market day and he is Aremu and nobody will change that.
“So, every Itoku Market day is Oba Gbadebo’s birthday, while every Ifo Market day is my own birthday. We’ll leave it at that.”
