Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday said though the situation of the country is bad, things can still be salvaged and Nigeria can still be great.
While describing himself as an incurable optimist, Obasanjo, who celebrated his 88th birthday on Wednesday, expressed the 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 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 publicly presenting his new book, “Nigeria: Past and Future” and another one, “Lest We Forget: Slavery, Slave Trade, Emancipation and Reparation”.
The books’ presentation was held at the Centre For Human Security and Dialogue, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, as part of events marking the ex-President’s 88th birthday.
The event had in attendance Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; 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 remarks, Obasanjo said the African continent must break itself free from every element of colonialism and slavery attitude to be great.
He said the continent cannot continue to operate under the shadow of colonialism, feeling less superior and achieving its full potential or taking its rightful position in world affairs.
The former President also insisted that against what many people generally believed that he had tampered with his age, he was actually not older than 88.
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 rename 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, Joseph. I would rather keep my name as Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Obasanjo.”
The former President said 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 while thanking those who graced the occasion however told 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.”
Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was represented at the event by his deputy, described Obasanjo as a global icon and pan-Africanist whose contribution across the continent remains invaluable.
Abiodun said that the state was always proud to have produced such a rare and selfless leader in Obasanjo, praying to the Almighty God to further preserve the former President to celebrate many more years to come.
In a lecture entitled “Echoes of the Past, visions of the Future: Reflections on Slavery and colonisation and Nigeria’s journey towards a promising future,” Prof. Eghosa Osaghae emphasised the need for Nigeria to reimagine its history, culture, and identity, free from the lingering effects of colonialism.
Osaghae, who is the Director-General of the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs, also highlighted the importance of promoting indigenous knowledge systems, languages, and cultural practices, and called for a new era of African-led development, driven by the continent’s own unique values, perspectives, and priorities.(Punch)
