Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by BeeBeeOoh(m): 12:03am On Mar 05, 2017 |
In what can be described as an endorsement of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s unmatched contributions to Nigeria’s history, Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, yesterday said the former President, through the establishment of a Presidential Library, is assisting Nigerians to chart a pathway for development and progress.
The Acting President, who was among the plethora of dignitaries who graced the grand commissioning of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, OOPL, Abeokuta, Ogun State, said one of the ways to approach the future with sure-footedness is by preserving the lessons, the failures and the successes of the past.
According to him, that is what President Olusegun Obasanjo has been able to do with the establishment of the Presidential Library.
Some of the World leaders who attended the event included but were not limited to: Liberian President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf; Presidents Faure Gnassingbe (Togo); Ernest Koroma (Sierra Leone); Boni Yayi (Benin Republic); Laila Ndinga (Kenya); Joyce Banda (Malawi); William Mkapa (Tanzania); and Nicephore Soglo.
Others included former US Ambassador to UN, Andrew Young; Michael of Kent; former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Anan; Prof. Akinwunmi Adesina; and John Kuffor, former President of Ghana.
Also on the roll call, were former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ernest Sonekan, Abdul Salam Abubakar, Emeka Anyaoku, Namadi Sambo, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Olusegun Osoba and Rabiu Kwakwaso.
Also in attendance were Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote; Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun and his counterpart in the Mines and Steel ministry, Kayode Fayemi; Minister for Information, Lai Mohammed; Femi Otedola; factional National Chairman of PDP, Ali Modu Sheriff.
Former governors Goodswill Akpabio, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke and Alao Akala were also present, as well as former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Nuhu Ribadu.
OSINBAJO ON OBASANJO’S ACHIEVEMENT
The Acting President in his remarks, extolled the virtues of Chief Obasanjo, describing him as a world statesman, detribalised Nigerian as well as a gift to Nigeria in various ways.
Osinbajo, who spoke shortly after the guests were taken round the various sections of the library including the museum and bookshops, described Obasanjo as a rare gem.
He said “very few human beings have a chance of making history and fewer still have a good fortune of making history and writing it as you go along and living longer to even establish a library and write history in your own words. Baba Olusegun Obasanjo is certainly one of those rare human beings.
“But the most serious advantage is that it is one of the sure ways of preserving the lessons, the failures and the successes of the past and also that we can approach the future with more sure-footedness and less pains. History is the most compassionate teacher.” This, he said, is what Obasanjo has done.
Continuing, he said: “At some point in time we were told in an adage that experience is the best teacher, but, now we know it is only half of a wise saying. The full statement of that adage is that experience is the best teacher for a fool, a wise man doesn’t need the pain of experience, history is a kind and a more compassionate teacher.
“President Olusegun Obasanjo is therefore a gift in various ways, being so intricately tied to the history of Nigeria, few years away from independence, to the civil war and then Head of State with the Nigerian people, and then the transition to civil rule and then from retirement and farming, and being twice elected as President of Nigeria and then handed over to another President.
“At every turn, he recorded his views and perspectives and his perspectives, especially of the times in various books, articles, seminars and now in this amazing monument, to add credible life of service to our continent and to our world.
“We are fortunate that it is not only a life-participant and sometimes victim of the twist and turns of history of our nation and continent, but, he is an enthusiast.
“Aside from all else, his enduring legacy will be his belief in one strong, detribalised Nigeria, and this is so evidence in the gatherings of Nigerians here and also his belief in words and in practice in an Africa united in vision and thoughts again; that Pan-Africanist vision is evident in the large gathering of African serving and former heads of governments here present.
“But we diminish his vision if we do not recognize his place as a world-stateman; even that is evident from the representatives of the world that are present here today. “I’m sure that as visitors to this Library, especially young Nigerians who, through this magnificently created place, will learn from both what they see and hear but perhaps what is unsaid, that our place in the history of our society is not what we take from it but what we manage to give it. The more selfless the giving, the more historic. I’m previleged to be here to celebrate in this Library, a man who has given and is continuously giving, an authentic African icon, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo”, Osinbajo said.
In her remarks, the Liberian President, who also doubles as Chairperson of Economic Community of West Africa States, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, quoted the 22nd President of the USA, President Franklin Roosevelt, and commended Obasanjo for the gesture.
She said “History will bear truth to this President, setting the pace in Africa that will spell a long legacy of successful retiring Presidents to record and preserve the history of nation building for posterity and for the benefit of today and future generations.
“You (Obasanjo) are inspired by the examples of President Jimmy Carter with whom you share the vision of preserving the record of the past for future purposes. In your early efforts you faced difficulties and decided that as you go on, you remain firm in your commitment to preserve the institutional memory of the nation in your journey. Today, it is a great delight to witness and rededicate Africa’s first. This was achieved through your innovative efforts.
“Through these facilities we witness the extension of Roosevelt’s vision as a living testimony of Africa’s belief in itself, in a capacity to learn from the past and create a better future. We take pride that through it, our own history, your own history, your nation’s history is recorded, presented and graphically displayed by ourselves, by yourself through these structures for posterity sake.
“The lessons herein are more than academic or events from the past, when history and technology meet as eloquently displayed in Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, history becomes alive as a dynamic reality and development of human kind for our people, our children who will read events of history, who will live, interact, feel and challenge the interpretation of past events.
“I advise African children, adults, scholars everywhere and friends of Africa worldwide to visit this Presidential Library as we have experienced today, feel the exhibits from the life and times of a great son of Nigeria and Africa; more importantly read, see, hear, feel and interact with history and culture”.
Earlier, Obasanjo, in his remarks, said the Library was the fulfilment of his vision and mission which he had in 1988, to collect vital materials of the civil war.
Obasanjo, who described the Library as a centre of knowledge, said the Library would also sustain culture and encourage tourism.
The former President commended the Board of Trustees and the management of the Library, saying without them, the Library wouldn’t have been possible.
AWUJALE, FAYOSE ABSENT
Whereas it was a capacity crowd attendance, the conspicuous absence of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, was noticeable. The Ijebu monarch had disagreed sharply with former President Obasanjo a few months back.
Awujale in an Autobiography titled “Awujale: The Autobiography of Alaiyeluwa Oba S. K. Adetona, Ogbagba II”, published by Mosuro Publishers in 2010, had accused Obasanjo of behaviour unbecoming of a president when he was the nation’s leader. Obasanjo then reacted sharply to the monarch’s comment calling him a liar among other names. It had been expected that the occasion of the commissioning would have served to a fence-mending purpose.
Apart from the monarch, other notable personalities that shunned the much-publicised programme from the South-West were governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, and his Oyo State counterpart, Abiola Ajimobi.
Fayose, who leads governors of Obasanjo’s former party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is a known critic of the former president.
BANTER BETWEEN SHERIFF AND OBASANJO
Obasanjo, not one known to shy away from joke, spotted Modu Sheriff of PDP and asked, “Sheriff, what are you doing here?
“Sheriff, who invited you here”
Sheriff, in his response, said “Im here in my capacity as the national chairman of the largest political party in Africa”. http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/03/obasanjo-is-helping-nigeria-secure-its-future-osinbajo/
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Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by madridguy(m): 12:12am On Mar 05, 2017 |
OBJ is the biggest rogue in Nigeria history. 32 Likes |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by Gurumaharaji(m): 12:12am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Haba Osibande....OBJ is a patron of corruption in Nigeria....He should be hold responsible regarding d state of this nation. 18 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by Jokerman(m): 12:21am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Osibanjo, you a pastor telling lies? 33 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by juman(m): 2:23am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Gurumaharaji: Haba Osibande....OBJ is a patron of corruption in Nigeria....He should be hold responsible regarding d state of this nation. madridguy: OBJ is the biggest rogue in Nigeria history. |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by Donshegxy10(m): 3:29am On Mar 05, 2017 |
baba is a rare human . . . . ebora owu.
the destroyer of PDP. 9 Likes 4 Shares |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by Kingspin(m): 3:37am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Is like some of our politicians reason well @80. Well even Abacha did secured Nigeria future. 1 Like |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by ZZ22: 6:13am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Obasanjo is nothing but a thief.. Osinbanjo tell the truth. I see no future for this country while all administration still run to consolidate with this thief that slept with his daughter-inlaw 28 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by greatgod2012(f): 6:27am On Mar 05, 2017 |
These people should stop annoying me this morning o! Which Obasanjo is he talking about really? Is it the same Obasanjo who is instrumental to what has become of Nigeria today? Which one exactly?
I think I need to log out of NL with all these praises accorded OBJ!
Bunch of rogues!
BTW, I didn't read that BS up there! 23 Likes |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by CROWNWEALTH019(m): 6:32am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Pastor ![shocked](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/shocked.gif) 1 Like |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by Acidosis(m): 6:51am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Obasanjo, the common criminal, and Mugabe of Nigeria. The only and always greedy politician who, after 8 solid years of ruling as a DEMONcratic president, fought for a third term.
Whoever is dishing out these praises to this presidential mistake of a person must be seriously high on a cow's dung.
A common broke ex-military officer suddenly built one of the largest farms in West Africa, built a classified private university (no one has ever questioned him about), and singlehandedly built several companies across many industries, including oil and gas, and no one is ASKING QUESTIONS.
Being a Nigerian is the greatest mistake any human being can ever make.
Obasanjo, YOU DO NOT DESERVE THESE PRAISES. You and I know that you are a common criminal who recklessly ruined the Nigeria economy.
If God will punish Buhari and Goodluck, do not be deceived by the populace whose memories are always SHORT! You will receive a greater punishment. 16 Likes |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by Nobody: 7:00am On Mar 05, 2017 |
OBJ was one of the person that ruined this country as a military head of state and as a democratic president. 2 Likes |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by omenkaLives(m): 7:21am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Coming from Osinbajo, wailers' latest cõck on which they suck, they just might decide to start hating him again, because that is their DEFAULT state of being. ![cheesy](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/cheesy.png) We love and appreciate you Mr Ag. President. Keep doing us proud. ![smiley](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/smiley.png) 3 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by Ngokafor(f): 7:39am On Mar 05, 2017 |
.....Osibanjo the politician...so Obasanjo who is supposed to be of those that 'destroyed'Nigeria through PDP is now a patriot 'securing Nigeria's future?...Anyway thats Yorubas/APC for...Their own(crooks and all) are saints to be adored while others who do same should be vilified...
...I pity gullible non-Yorubas or non-hausas or non-middle-beltan joining them to castigate Jonathan and other SE and SS politicians...una go kill una own finish listening to their hypocritical rants,while they (hausas and yorubas)would recycle their criminal politicians to keep ruling you all...
...Be wise and wake up.. 3 Likes |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by seunmsg(m): 8:08am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Obasanjo, not one known to shy away from joke, spotted Modu Sheriff of PDP and asked, “Sheriff, what are you doing here?
“Sheriff, who invited you here”
Sheriff, in his response, said “Im here in my capacity as the national chairman of the largest political party in Africa”. ![grin](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/grin.png) 3 Likes |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by seunmsg(m): 8:12am On Mar 05, 2017 |
wizzyrich: OBJ was one of the person that ruined this country as a military head of state and as a democratic president. OBJ remains the best president we've had so far in this 4th republic. He was far from perfect as president but considering those that came after him, he is miles ahead of them all. 11 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by giantstrides(m): 8:28am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Ngokafor:
.....Osibanjo the politician...so Obasanjo who is supposed to be of those that 'destroyed'Nigeria through PDP is now a patriot 'securing Nigeria's future?...Anyway thats Yorubas/APC for...Their own(crooks and all) are saints to be adored while others who do same should be vilified...
...I pity gullible non-Yorubas or non-hausas or non-middle-beltan joining them to castigate Jonathan and other SE and SS politicians...una go kill una own finish listening to their hypocritical rants,while they (hausas and yorubas)would recycle their criminal politicians to keep ruling you all...
...Be wise and wake up.. You analyze as if you do not understand politics, you pity those castigating Jonathan and SS politicians , yet those same politicians including Jonathan graced the occasion. Whether we like it or not, OBJ remains a very influential politician in Nigeria, everyone with their eyes set on 2019 is trying to get his support from Tinubu's camp to buhari and Jonathan's camp . 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by ufuosman(m): 9:40am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Osinbajo talk wetin you know 1 Like |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by Larryfest(m): 9:47am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Haba PYO please take that statement back abegi,OBJ had a whole life time(from his 20s till nw) to do the right thing but he never did so am not sure he will ever do anything meaningful..The old man is always after his own benefits and profit and not the nations own atall. 1 Like |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by jamace(m): 10:22am On Mar 05, 2017 |
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Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by Nobody: 10:51am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Jokerman: Osibanjo, you a pastor telling lies? Who no dey lie? |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by MONITZ: 11:34am On Mar 05, 2017 |
Politicians and double talk re like 5$6.... |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by PenisCaP: 5:32pm On Mar 05, 2017 |
MONITZ: Politicians and double talk re like 5$6.... ufuosman: Osinbajo talk wetin you know Jokerman: Osibanjo, you a pastor telling lies? Nawao. U people suprise me o.. does it mean u guys are still learners. ![undecided](https://www.nairaland.com/faces/undecided.png) What do u expect from a yoruba man ?? their Pastors. Proffessors, mechanics, doctors and touts.. all of them are the same dont be deceived..open ur eyes pls. |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by Waspy(m): 5:32pm On Mar 05, 2017 |
Till I know what Osinbajo knows, or why he said so,
I comment my reserve |
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Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by mascot87(m): 5:34pm On Mar 05, 2017 |
madridguy: OBJ is the biggest rogue in Nigeria history. Says an inconsequential goat just the way you are |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by sekundosekundo: 5:34pm On Mar 05, 2017 |
The part that he put his daughter Inlaw in a family way got me lol 1 Like |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by Nobody: 5:34pm On Mar 05, 2017 |
Fayose and Awujale can do whatever they like.
Obasanjo is a living legend 1 Like |
Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by darocha1: 5:34pm On Mar 05, 2017 |
Lol |
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Re: Obasanjo Is Helping Nigeria Secure Its Future - Osinbajo by Dindondin(m): 5:35pm On Mar 05, 2017 |
happy birthday OBJ |