Tag: Obasanjo

The Olowu of Kuta, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama has described former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as a timeless statesman whose presence will be felt many years after his generation. 

Oba Makama, who congratulated Chief Obasanjo for enjoying a healthily long life, asserted that God purposely blessed Nigeria with Obasanjo, who spent his life as military head of state and civilian president to unite the country.

Shortly after he had successfully hosted Obasanjo and his entourage in his magnificent Olowu Palace in Kuta on Monday, June 3, Oba Makama revealed that he was always excited reading and listening to Obasanjo’s informed comments on public issues. 

“Whether we like it or we don’t like it, he has never been intimidated not to pass his messages and take a walk off the podium. And if you study his views with broad mind, you are bound to pick invaluable points therein because he doesn’t speak for the sake of it. He does with intellectual depth,  passion, and, above all, patriotism. 

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“That is why he will remain relevant till tomorrow. His engagement of very sensitive global issues with courage and power of articulation, has won for  him both recognition and respect at international fora where you have former and serving presidents listening to him with rapt attention,” he noted.

The Olowu Kuta urged Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to accord personalities like Obasanjo and other heads of government respect because, he emphasised, ruling Nigeria, a country peopled by about 200 ethnic groups, is not a child’s play or a task for the lilly livered persons. 

The traditional ruler also expressed his gratitude to the Owu-born former president for the visit and pray for continued God’s grace and longevity for him, concluding that Obasanjo is the “most valuable asset of Owu and cherished by all.”

Obasanjo also praised Olowu Kuta for bequeathing what he called a world-class palace to the ancient Owu Kuta and commended him for showcasing and promoting core Yoruba culture in his domain and beyond. 

Obasanjo, who holds the traditional title of the Balogun Owu, charged Kuta elite to rally round the monarch in all ways and ensure the beautiful palace standard is maintained. 

In Obasanjo’s delegation were the Olowu of Owu Abeokuta, Oba (Prof) Saka Matemilola Oluyalo-Otileta (VII), the Royal Union of Owu People (RUOP)

led by its President Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, Honourable Fatoki and a host of others.

The Kuta Ambassadors led by Dr Lekan Ayantunji, Honourable Yinusa Akintola Amobi, Honourable Mukaila Oladejo, and other Kuta sons and daughters also welcomed the former president.

Friends of Olowu Kuta in attendance included Professor Siyan Oyeweso and Professor Oguntola Alamu, amongst others.

• INEC’s ex-official for burial June 7

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has eulogised the late Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs. Ayoka Adebayo.

He described her as a true patriot with an unwavering belief in a greater Nigeria who, accordingly, gave her best in the pursuit of her goal.

The former electoral official died on May 18 after a brief illness.

She was 89.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, and Mrs. Moni Adebayo Abudu (for the family), the former President announced that the late REC would be buried on June 7 in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

In a tribute, Obasanjo said the late Mrs. Adebayo “wrote for herself an enviable page in history with her service as the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ekiti State.

“In this assignment, she served with commitment, integrity, dedication, and loyalty, making significant contributions to the growth of democracy in our country. She refused to be comprised and remained resolute to ensure a free, fair, and credible election in Ekiti State.

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“Such that at a point the election rerun was turning into a morass of confusion, chaos, violence and threat to her life, for integrity, she honourably resigned her appointment as the commissioner and fled her operational base for the fear of being attacked or kidnapped to be compromised by desperate politicians.”

Obasanjo added that the contribution of the late REC, who was also the wife of his late cousin in the public service, would inspire future generations.

The vacuum created by her departure, Obasanjo, further stated in the solemn tribute, “will be very hard to fill within Bankole’s extended family and dynasty. Ayoka’s kindness, warmth, and grace touched the lives of so many. Her memory will surely continue to be an endless source of inspiration to those who knew her and those whose lives had been touched by her.

“To Owu community and Ogun State, where she hailed from, she was loyal, devoted, dedicated and faithful generally to Owu cause and interest. She displayed a constant love for Owu Kingdom and worked for its progress while alive by virtue of the fact that she was a thoroughbred Owu daughter on both father and mother sides.

“Her reputation as a great mobiliser, skillful organiser and untiring champion of women empowerment was well known. She displayed a constant love for them and worked for their progress. Also worthy of note is her meritorious service to Ogun State civil service in different capacities. She was industrious, amiable and most genial,” Obasanjo was quoted to have stated in the two-page tribute.

Also, a two-day burial programme will start on June 6 with a Christian Wake Keep and Night of Tributes at the Marque of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) between 4 p.m and 8 p.m, while the burial service will hold at the Owu Baptist Church, Totoro, Abeokuta, from 10 a.m.

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo and notable world leaders are to deliver keynote addresses at the Summit on the State of Democracy in Africa, scheduled for Wednesday May 22, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

The summit is a collaborative efforts of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation, with support from the Ford Foundation and Trust Africa.

A statement by the organisers of the summit issued in Abuja on Sunday, May 19, reads: “The summit will serve as a high-profile forum to evaluate and discuss challenges and opportunities for democratic governance across the continent. Taking place against a backdrop of significant political changes, including a recent surge in military coups, the summit will address pressing threats to fragile democratic processes in various African countries.

“The event will feature a series of engaging discussions, with keynote speeches from distinguished leaders including H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo and Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. Mr. Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, will also deliver special remarks on the pivotal role of civic engagement in bolstering democratic institutions.

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“The summit will discuss a range of critical topics, including the achievements and challenges of the current democratic landscape in Africa, the impact of military coups on democratic integrity, and the exploration of alternative democratic models that reflect Africa’s historical and cultural contexts. Additional insights will be drawn from Afrobarometer surveys on citizen sentiments and perceptions of democracy, as well as strategies for strengthening democratic resilience against both external and internal threats.

“The summit seeks to foster constructive dialogue among African leaders, policymakers, academics, and civil society representatives, with the goal of enhancing understanding of Africa’s democratic state, promoting intercontinental collaboration for sustainable governance, and developing actionable strategies to tackle challenges to democracy and governance on the continent.”

The event is anticipated to attract a diverse audience, including government officials, civil society leaders, scholars, and the public, who are all stakeholders in the future of democratic governance in Africa.

• Ex-President, Adeleke, Oyinlola inaugurate presidential lodge in Osun

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigeria is a complex country but it is not too difficult to govern.

Obasanjo said this yesterday while inaugurating a presidential lodge inside the Osun State Government House at Oke-Fia in Osogbo, the state capital.

He was accompanied by Governor Ademola Adeleke and a former governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Obasanjo said governance is easy when leaders are honest and lead with a clean conscience.

He said: “With my experience, Nigeria is a complex country, but Nigeria is not a difficult country to rule. Maybe one can also say the same that Osun State is a complex state, but Osun State is not a difficult state to rule.

“You have to be honest with your conscience, with the people and with your God. You have to be a man of character and attributes that everybody will see that Ademola Adeleke, when he sees opportunity to dance, he would dance. But he is a man of integrity, honesty and hard work. It is very important. When light comes, darkness vanishes.”

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Obasanjo described Adeleke as his dancing partner, saying the governor has proven to the world that he is happy and hardworking.

To Adeleke, he said: “You are working on roads; don’t joke with it. This is because when we make necessary provision for the people to have jobs, they will work.

“Many Yoruba people want to work, but what is impeding that is the road to ply. When we provide the wherewithal for them, they would work. I will plead with you to continue with that.”

Adeleke said the presidential lodge was abandoned after the Rauf Aregbesola administration did 35 per cent work on it.

“However, work commenced on the project three months ago and now it is completed. This lodge can accommodate five dignitaries with their teams conveniently at a time,” he said.