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Tag: Obasanjo

  • How women can succeed in politics, by Obasanjo, Banda

    How women can succeed in politics, by Obasanjo, Banda

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday said women must be physically, emotionally and psychological prepared to succeed in politics.

    “If you are not strong physically, your chances are reduced, but you must also believe in God,” he said.

    Obasanjo spoke in Lagos when he chaired the Women’s Power Lunch, an initiative of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF).

    It was jointly organised by the Women in Development Enterprise Across Africa (WIDEAA), co-founded by MMF’s Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode.

    Former Malawi President, Dr. Joyce Banda, who delivered a speech on the theme: Women in Solidarity, a new paradigm for inclusion, urged women to aspire for leadership.

    “We have to ensure that women issues move from the peripheral to the centre stage,” she said, adding that women must be economically empowered and not discriminated against.

    “Women need empowerment, while the girl-child needs education,” she said, urging women to unite rather than work against each other.

    During the question and answer session, Dr. Banda was asked if she attended political meetings held at “unholy” hours, such as 3:00am.

    She said: “If you don’t want to go through what men pass through, then you don’t want to be in politics.”

    Obasanjo added: “You must also make your own nocturnal meetings last longer than that of your opponents. It’s the way it’s done almost everywhere.”

    The former president joked that when he was in power, he once asked people who went for pilgrimage in Mecca to pray for the success of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) “when PDP was PDP.”

    He recalled that someone added that not only would they pray for PDP, they would also listen to what the opposition party members were praying for.

    “You must be well equipped to succeed in politics,” Obasanjo told the women.

  • Obasanjo tasks youth on ‘profitable ventures’

    Former president Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday urged Nigerian youths, particularly Ogun State indigenes, to be proactive and focused on good ventures.

    Obasanjo said Ogun is blessed, strategically located near Lagos and hospitable, adding that it is encouraging that there are young people who had set their minds on worthy cause.

    The ex – president gave the remarks remarks during a public presentation of a book titled: “100 Most Influential Ogun Indigenes Still Living” at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the state capital.

    The event which also featured conferrement of awards to deserving Ogun State sons and daughters, was packaged by Hex Communications.

    Obasanjo, who was one of the awardees, noted that youths are active partners in nation building and should not be ignored.

    He commended the authors of the book – Muyiwa Awodein, Olusesi Akinoso, Tayo Ogunbowale, Babatunde Azeez and Ademola Adetona for the initiative.

    The state Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who was represented by his deputy, commended the organisers for recognising and honouring those that had performed creditably well for the state and Nigeria.

     

  • Obasanjo: Fed Govt, states must reduce in size

    Obasanjo: Fed Govt, states must reduce in size

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has given insight into what the governments should do to overcome the prevailing economic hardship buffeting the country.

    Obasanjo said when “times are hard” such as the one the nation contends with today, governments must not only increase the Internally Generated Revenue(IGR), but also endeavour to shrink their sizes and “reduce waste.”

    The ex-President spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when management of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), led by  Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Babatunde Fowler, visited him at his residence on Presidential Hilltop Estate, Abeokuta, yesterday.

    The team also includes chairmen of 36 states Internal Revenue Services, representatives of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC), Nigeria Customs Service and the Immigration Service.

    Obasanjo suggested that governments should become “slimmer” and merge or rationalise institutions existing separately to cope with the challenging economic downturn.

    According to him, these are some of the things governments can do to get Nigeria and Nigerians “out of the tight situation.”

    He, however, prayed that revenue from taxes would roll in sooner than later to cushion the effects of the hardship.

    “When times are hard, it is then government needs more Internally Generated Revenue, and it is also the time those from whom the government would want to generate fund are hard to be able to get money.

    “What do we have to do? They must continue to try with increase as much as possible, what each state can generate in terms of Internally Generated Revenue, but states must also embark on a number of things.

    “One, reducing waste. Two, they have to look into becoming slimmer. Government can do a lot by looking at their own establishments. They have to bring together institutions that don’t need to continue to exist separately.

    “And, generally, also show that the money they generate, the tax that the citizens pay are well utilised and they can show the people that, look you paid for this, and it has been well utilised’.

    “I think these are some of the things we have to do to get us out of the tight situation that we are all in,” Obasanjo said.

    Fowler said although the tax board would raise money for government, waste must be eradicated.

     

  • Obasanjo’s view on democracy preposterous – PDP chief

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Ebonyi State, Chief Abia Onyike, on Tuesday faulted ex- President Olusegun Obasanjo’s corruption allegation against the National Assembly, describing the former President as highly committed antagonist of the legislative institution in the country.

    Onyike, a former Commissioner for Information in Ebonyi, stated this in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    He said the views of the former President on democracy had been medieval and preposterous.

    He said Obasanjo lacks the locus standi to talk on corruption, considering the economic woes that faced Nigerians during his administration.

    The ex- commissioner, in a statement, alleged that the former President worked hard to destabilize the operations of the National Assembly during his regime.

    He said, “Nigerians have not forgotten the shameless parade of ‘Ghana-must-go’ on the floor of House of Representatives during the failed bid to remove Ghali Umar Naaba.

    “Neither have they forgotten the $13.6 billion spent on the power sector without stable electricity under Obasanjo’s regime.

    “It is a gratuitious insult on our collective intelligence as Nigerians for our main symbol of democracy (the National Assembly) to be assaulted and disparaged at will, a culture nurtured under Obasanjo.

    “His apparent disdain and hatred for the National Assembly was demonstrated to Nigerians when he worked hard to destabilise the National Assembly during his tenure. Either in or out of government, Obasanjo has become a highly committed antagonist of the legislative institution.

    “On his comments regarding corruption in the National Assembly, I believe that Obasanjo should not be the one to open the pandora box.

    “Senate President Bukola Saraki, his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu should be commended for holding the forte despite the orchestrated campaigns of calumny organised to impugn the integrity of the National Assembly by vested anti-democratic forces in the country.

    “Some people have made it a point of duty to degrade and demonise the National Assembly by constantly casting aspersions on its leadership.”

     

  • I rejected Obasanjo’s N50m bribe – Senator

    I rejected Obasanjo’s N50m bribe – Senator

    Deputy Senate Leader, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, on Tuesday took on former President Olusegun Obasanjo, over his sweeping statement that all members of the National Assembly were corrupt.

    The former president also reportedly dismissed members of the National Assembly as lacking in integrity.

    Na’Allah in a statement entitled: “I am not corrupt and I have integrity,” dared Obasanjo to prove a single act of corruption against him.

    The Kebbi South lawmaker reminded Obasanjo that he rejected his “N50 million inducement to subvert the Constitution and provide a constitutional framework for the third term ambition of the ex- president.”

    Na’Allah insisted that he was prepared to vacate his seat as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria if Obasanjo could prove a single record of corruption against him.

    He said, “My attention has been drawn to a purported statement attributed to former president Olusegun Obasanjo where he made a sweeping statement that there are no men of integrity in the National Assembly.

    “I am respectfully taking exception to the statement which I express the hope is not true.

    “To start with, it is not in my character to join issues with elder statement who have had the privilege of superintending over the affairs of our great country Nigeria.

    “This exception has become necessary in view of the enormity of the alleged statement to my person and integrity.

    “If former president Obasanjo can come out with one proven record of corruption against me as a person I promised to vacate my seat as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “For the records I was the only member from Kebbi State who did not find it worthy at that time to collect the sum of N50 million as an inducement to subvert the Constitution and provide a constitutional framework for the third term ambition of president Obasanjo.

    “I find this statement if it is true to be reckless and terrifying. The implication of the statement is to say that the entire over 170 million Nigerians have not elected a single person with integrity among the 469 members of the National Assembly.

    “This is definitely rhapsodic and does not conform to commonsense and reason.”

  • Budget scam: Buhari must be vigilant, says Obasanjo

    Budget scam: Buhari must be vigilant, says Obasanjo

    ‘Let’s get men of integrity as lawmakers’

    Dogara’s camp, Jibrin trade accusations  

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday spoke on the budget padding crisis rocking the House of Representatives, saying the accusations vindicated his position on the lawmakers’ conduct. He advised President Muhammadu Buhari to be vigilant.

    The former President spoke to reporters at the Presidential Villa in Abuja during a visit to President Buhari.

    He said: “Well, if you said that I have said it in the past and if there are people who didn’t believe what I said ýin the past then, you can now see that what has come out confirms what I said in the past. Then what I said in the past is what I will say now.”

    On whether he would back an investigation into the allegations, Obasanjo said: “It is not a question of investigation; we should get men and women of integrity in the place (National Assembly) and the President should be very vigilant. Whatever should not pass should not pass.”

    Obasanjo once claimed that the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly were filled with rogues. He was lashed for using a foul language and also encouraging corruption.

    In January, he challenged Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara to open the financial records of the National Assembly for public scrutiny.

    As President, he also asked the lawmakers to tell Nigerians what they were earning.

    Since his sack last week as Chairman of the Appropriation Committee of the House of Representatives for allegedly being implicated in budget padding, Hon. Abdumimin Jibrin has been hurling big allegations at the leadership of the House, claiming that Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Deputy Speaker Yusuff Lasun, Whip Ado Doguwa and House Minority Leader Leo Ogor supervised the insertion of N40billion into the budget at a secret location.

    On his mission at the Villa, Obasanjo said: “Not too long ago, I was in Liberia and Gambia and I have messages these two countries will want me to deliver to the President.

    “Also, only yesterday (Sunday) I came back from Seychelles Island where I attended this year’s Annual General meeting of Africa Export Development Bank. And there are aspects of the proceedings that I think I should update the President.”

    On whether he enjoys travelling, Obasanjo said: “Travelling is a good education, what you will learn about a country by visiting that country for two or three days you won’t learn by reading through books.”

    Asked further if he was considering slowing down, Obasanjo said: “May God never let you  slow down.”

     

  • 2016 Budget scandal: I’m vindicated, says Obasanjo

    2016 Budget scandal: I’m vindicated, says Obasanjo

    •Ex-President urges Buhari to be vigilant

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday said happenings concerning the 2016 Budget scandal in the National Assembly vindicated him.

    Obasanjo, who in January claimed the National Assembly and state legislatures were filled with robbers and rogues, challenged Senate President Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, to open the finance of the National Assembly since 1999 to external bodies.

    The ex-President, yesterday, reacted to the budget padding accusation and counter-accusation between leadership of the House of Representatives and sacked Chairman of its Appropriation Committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin.

    Jibrin, who was removed as chairman of the committee last week, alleged on Sunday that the padding of the 2016 budget with N40 billion was done at a secret location with the backing of Dogara and three principal officers; Deputy Speaker Yusuff Lasun, House Whip Alhassan Ado Doguwa and Minority Leader Leo Ogor.

    Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Obasanjo said: “Well, if you said I have said it in the past and if there are people who didn’t believe what I said  in the past, you can now see that what has come out confirms what I said in the past. Then what I said in the past is what I will say now.

    Asked if he wanted investigation into the issue, he said: “It’s not a question of investigation, we should get men and women of integrity in the place and the President should be vigilant, whatever should not pass should not pass.”

    He said he was in the Villa to deliver messages to the President.

    “Not too long ago, I was in Liberia and Gambia and I have messages these two countries will want me to deliver to the President.

    “Also, only yesterday I came back from Seychelles Island where I attended this year’s annual general meeting of Africa Export Development Bank. And there are aspects of the proceedings I think I should update the President on,” he added

    On whether he is enjoying the travelling, he said: “Travelling is good education, what you learn about a country by visiting for two or three days, you won’t learn by reading books.

    Asked further if he was considering slowing down, Obasanjo said: “May God never let you to slow down.”

     

     

  • Update: Buhari meets FIFA president, Obasanjo in Aso Rock

    Update: Buhari meets FIFA president, Obasanjo in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday met separately with FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Buhari first met with Obasanjo for over one hour before the arrival of Infantino.

    The FIFA president arrived the seat of power at about 1:50pm and was accompanied by FIFA Secretary General, Fatma Samoura.

    The Minister of Youths and Sports, Solomon Dalung, and the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, were also at the meeting.

    The FIFA officials will later on Monday watch a football exhibition at the National Stadium, Abuja.

  • Obasanjo urges leaders to emulate Shinkafi, Monguno

    Obasanjo urges leaders to emulate Shinkafi, Monguno

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged leaders to emulate the late Umaru Shinkafi and Shettima Ali Monguno.

    Obasanjo, who spoke in Sokoto at the weekend, when he paid a condolence visit to Shikafi’s family, lamented that their deaths had robbed the country of honest voices who still had a lot to offer.

    Obasanjo described Shinkafi as a committed nationalist, who worked for the unity and development of the country.

    His words: “Though we cannot question God, present leaders should emulate Shinkafi and Monguno in their dealings.”

    Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal thanked Obasanjo for the visit, and prayed God to reward him accordingly.

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, hailed the former president for his gesture of friendship, adding that Shinkafi lived a worthy life of service.

    Obasanjo also visited former President Shehu Shagari and prayed God to grant him good health.

  • Obasanjo harps on government support in agric business

    Obasanjo harps on government support in agric business

    Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday faulted government’s direct involvement in agribusiness, saying such involvements won’t work because they are used to drain pipes on public funds.

    Obasanjo stated this while delivering a lecture at the University of Ibadan yesterday.

    Speaking on the topic: “Agribusiness: Time to act,” the former president said the role of government is to create enabling environment for agribusiness to thrive.

    He added that time has come for the government and practitioners to glamourize farming, adding that government needs to develop incentives for farmers across the country to retain people in agribusiness.

    He was the guest lecturer at the maiden edition of the Eminent Persons Business Lecture of the University of Ibadan School of Business (UISB) in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.

    The former president said the drop in the global price of crude oil and the reality of the present economic situation in Nigeria could be a blessing in disguise. According to him, the situation could lead Nigeria to the reality that agriculture had the capacity to successfully drive the nation’s economy.

    At the lecture were the Pro Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Umar Mustapha; Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Abel Olayinka; Emeritus Professor Oladipo Akinkugbe and the representative of Oyo State Government, Prince Oyewole Oyewumi, who is the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development.

    His words: “In the past, the bane of agriculture in Nigeria was lack of continuity and consistency in government policy. Maybe the present situation in which we find ourselves in our economy and the low price of crude oil may be a blessing in disguise to wake us to the reality of agriculture as the mainstay of our economy, and as a renewable system of production compared with oil and gas which are being depleted.

    While highlighting the importance of agriculture in the areas of economic growth and development and wealth creation, the former Military President maintained that agricbusiness has potentials to stimulate industrialization and economic growth.

    He also maintained that attention must be given to agriculture at the high level of government and incorporate all departments, ministries and agencies of government in the agricultural sector and not just the ministry of agriculture to make their responsibilities complementary and not competitive.