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Tag: Obasanjo

  • Opposition can’t deny Amosun’s good work, says Obasanjo

    Opposition can’t deny Amosun’s good work, says Obasanjo

    Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that the manifestation of the good works of Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s administration in Ogun State are such that even the opposition and critics in the state can’t deny.

    Obasanjo who lauded the Governor for his performance in the last 34 months, said though accurate assessment of elected or appointed office holders are better done when such people are out of power, but added that he would “stick out” his “neck” to appraise Amosun now.

    According to Obasanjo who was a former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Amosun’s performance is “good.”

    The former President made this known in Abeokuta, the Ogun State, on Wednesday, at the occasion marking his 77th birthday in his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).

    He said: “normally I don’t like to say things about politicians especially when they are still in power. It is only when politicians are out of power that you can assess them accurately but this one, I will stick out my neck a little bit. So far, so fairly good.

    “Those of you who were here in Ogun state will testify. Even if you belong to a party which doesn’t like the governor, you must say yes I didn’t lie. I must thank you for what you’re doing for all of us.”

    Governor Amosun who was among the dignitaries that graced Obasanjo’s birthday, described the former President as a “leader” whose love for the continued progress, unity and survival of Nigeria is second to none.

  • I have no record of my birthday, says Obasanjo

    I have no record of my birthday, says Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday reiterated that he had not found the record of his birthday.

    He said he would make it known “sooner or later”.

    The former president spoke at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during his 77th birthday reception. He was expressing gratitude to those who attended the ceremony.

    “There are some people, including me, who do not know their exact birthday.

    “My mother only told me that I was born on Ifo market day.

    “According to her, in our village, she had prepared to go to Ifo market and Ifo market is every five days.

    “She said as she was preparing, she fell into labour and before those who went to Ifo market returned, I was born.

    “Don’t ask me what month or what year.

    “Whether I know the exact date or not, I think God has made my path to be glorious,” he said.

    “There are those of us, like me, who have no real record of birth. I want to thank God, once again, for what He has done in my life. Whether I know the exact date of my birth or not, I think God has made my birth glorious.

    “I want to thank the president of this country because early this morning when I had finished my game of squash and I was preparing, a message came from President Goodluck Jonathan congratulating me on this day of my official birthday.”

    Obasanjo said that as a human being, he had shortcomings and had failed God on several occasions.

    The former president, however, said that he was grateful that God never counted his faults against him.

    “I have disappointed God several times, but God has never taken my faults against me.

    “If he had counted my faults against me, I will have been consumed.

    “So what has been sustaining me is the grace, mercy and kindness of God,” he said.

    He said: “On occasions like this, one must also thank those ones that have influenced one’s life in one way or the other. Because I just didn’t get and said I am 77 and I have achieved whatever I have been able to achieve.

    “Some people, beginning with my parents and the communities where I grew, my teachers and those who have impacted on my life one way or the other, too many to mention. I am grateful to God for what they have been able to do in my life.

    “I have been very lucky for many things. On one occasion, I said God had never disappointed me and a journalist who thinks that he knows too much asked if I had disappointed God. I said ‘of course’. As long as I am living in flesh and blood, I am liable to be unworthy in what I have striven to meet the standard of what God expects of me.

    “God has never taken my shortcomings, my failures and all that: He hasn’t counted me because if he had, I would have been consumed. So, God has really sustained me with His grace, mercy, goodness and compassion. Not because of my goodness, but God has been gracious.”

    Obasanjo spoke shortly after the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu, said the former president knew his correct birth date but has resorted to telling people that he was “born in Ibogun a day before Ifo market day”.

    Oba Dosunmu described Obasanjo as his “close friend” and “Balogun Owu”. He noted that he (Olowu) and a few of the former president’s friends, knew his exact birthday.

    Although the monarch did not reveal the date, he advised Nigerians to pay more attention to an aspect of Obasanjo’s life that is “quite obvious”, yet remains unknown to many.

    He said the former President is humane, sympathetic and always ready to help people in need, recalling that Obasanjo was of immense help to him when he built his first house in Lagos many years ago.

    Oba Dosunmu went on: “Obasanjo is sympathetic to all people; even to animals. He has genuine love for people; he does not like to see people suffer; he doesn’t like people who speak ill of Nigeria and this dates back to his secondary school days.”

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Ambassador Christopher Kolade, Prof. Okebukola and associates from Israel and Kenya, among others, attended the ceremony.

  • Obasanjo won’t disclose his actual birth date – Oba Dosunmu

    Obasanjo won’t disclose his actual birth date – Oba Dosunmu

    The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Ogun State, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu, has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, knows his correct birth date but won’t disclose it to anybody.

    Dosunmu who described Obasanjo as his “close friend” and “Balogun Owu,” noted that the former President decided to keep the date to himself but was in the habit of telling people he was “born in Ibogun a day before Ifo market day.”

    The monarch said this in his brief remark this morning at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, at the occasion marking the 77th birthday of the former President.

    Although, Oba Dosunmu did not reveal the date, but advised that people should pay more attention that aspect of Obasanjo’s life that is “quite obvious” yet remain unknown to many.

    He said the former President is humane and sympathetic, always ready to offer help to people in need.

    In his speech, Obasanjo said the date being celebrated is “official” but promised to reveal the real date by himself in future.

    The former President who also appreciated President Goodluck Jonathan for sending him SMS this morning to congratulate him on his birthday, said whether he knows his correct birth date or not, isn’t important because God has made that day glorious.

    Obasanjo said: “Olowu wanted to let the cat out of the bag, but he didn’t quite succeed, the date would be revealed by me. The truth is, I was born.  The truth also is that I was born on Ifo market day according to my mother because she was actually prepared to go to Ifo market that day when she began to have labour and gave birth to me.

    ” Don’t ask me the day and year. Whether I know the birth date or not, the important thing is that God has made my birth glorious.”

    In attendance at the birthday event are Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Prof. Akin Mabogunje, Dr Christopher Kolade, former Ekiti State Governor, Segun Oni, Obasanjo’s wife: Bola among others.

  • Obasanjo, Buhari, IBB, others decorated with centenary awards

    Obasanjo, Buhari, IBB, others decorated with centenary awards

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday decorated seven living former Nigerian Heads of State and Presidents with the centenary awards.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the centenary anniversary awards night and dinner, during which 100 recipients were decorated, was held at the banquet hall of the Presidential Villa.

    The decorated former leaders are -Yakubu Gowon, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu Shagari and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

    Others are – Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar.

    NAN reports that six late Nigerian Heads of State were honoured post-humously.

    The recipients of the post-humous award are – Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi, Gen. Murtala Mohammed, Gen. Sani Abacha and Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua.

    Also in the category is the presumed winner of the June 1993 presidential election, late Chief Moshood Abiola.

    The President decorated the representatives of the late leaders among whom is Mrs. Maryam Abacha.

    The centenary awards are in 13 categories with winners both living and dead.

     

    The first are those who contributed to the making of Nigeria and they include Queen Elizabeth II of England, Lord Fredrick Lugard and his wife, Lady Lugard,

    The second category is the Heroes of the Struggle for independence/Pioneer political leaders which include Azikiwe, Balewa, Herbert Macaulay and Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    Others in the category are Sir Ahmadu Bello, Prof. Eyo Ita, Jaja Nwachukwu, Pa Michael Imoudu, Chief Anthony Enahoro and Chief Joseph Tarka.

    The rest are Malam Aminu Kano, Mrs. Margaret Ekpo, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Hajia Gambo Sawaba.

    The third category is the Pioneers in professional Callings/careers which include the first indigenous lawyer, Chief Sapara Williams, and the first indigenous Solicitor, Chief Rotimi Williams.

    The category also include the first indigenous Chartered Accountant, Chief Akintola Williams, and the first indigenous Inspector General of Police, Louis Edet, and the first indigenous medical doctor, Prof. Eyitayo Lambo.

    Also in the category are the first female Vice Chancelor of Nigerian universities, Prof. Grace Alele-Williams, and the first indigenous female pilot, Capt. Chinyere Kalu.

    Others include Akinwale Wey, Gen. George, Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi, Tamunoiyowunam, Gen. Abdullahi Mohammed, Prof. Kenneth Dike and Gen. Oviemo Ovadje.

    The fourth category is Pioneer in Commerce and Industry, which has Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, Alh. Alhassan Dantata and Chief Adeola Odutola.

    Awardees under Pioneer of Democratic Transition in Nigeria are Shagari, late Abiola, late Gen. Shehu Yar’Adua and Abdusalami Abubakar.

    The sixth category is the Heroes in Global Sports Competitions which are Chioma Ajunwa, Nwankwo Kanu, Richard Ihetu, Chief Michael Okpala (Power Mike) and Monday Emoghavwe.

    The seventh category is Accomplished Pioneer Public Servants and the awardees include Chief Olabode Wey, Justice Udo Udoma, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and Sir Adetokubo Ademola.

    Others are Dr. Olawale Elias, Dr. Rilwan Lukman, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki and Alhaji Aliyu Mai-Borno.

     

  • Beyond Obasanjo’s open letter

    Beyond Obasanjo’s open letter

    I had decided not to meddle when open letters flies from all corners of the country. And I took the decision for two reasons. One, I do not want to get on the bandwagon and two; I subscribe that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is responsible for our national woes. My silence was broken by requests from the youths in my constituency, to whom I owe a sense of duty. I, therefore, do not want to contribute to the analysis of the content of letter, but to look at the implications of the revelations in the letters on the Nigerian state in the nearest future, and how it will affect the youths.

    Tomorrow’s leaders, who should rather be under responsible leadership and moral training, will most likely be handed the leadership of a failed state with no value reference frame to guide them. Rather than commence their leadership task to mobilise citizens for concerted national development, the Nigerian youths, when handed leadership, would probably expend valuable time and resources in the most tedious task of educating the citizens on wrong values being inherited from the present leaders.

    While our mates in the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are gainfully engaging themselves in national development, we are spending time on molding our minds in dishonesty, destructive greed, tribalism, terrorism, hooliganism, etc. Before we can start to think of setting national development goals, we have to talk about personal values.

    A recent report by the World Bank says 11million youths will be jobless by 2024 in sub-Sahara Africa. That is four years after Vision 20:2020 would have been realised or failed. The content of the letters do not fail to inform us again that our leaders are morally bankrupt, treacherous and mischievous. And above all, they lord it over us foolishly. They have no remorse over their leadership style; they have no character to checkmate the damage being done on our future by the uncontrolled abuse of our rights.

    But, if the objective of the Obasanjo’s letter is to change the direction of the leadership and leadership orientation, the mess is worth it. I, therefore, want to address former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Every great nation has got leaders who have the will and wit to galvanise the human potentials in the direction of development and service. It has never been enough for leaders to execute projects and count achievements. As Abraham Lincoln puts it: “Success is when you are there while prosperity is when you have left”.

    Chief Obasanjo has got the opportunity more than anybody else to provide progressive leadership for the younger generations and recruit leaders who would not have compelled him to write open letters whether appropriate or not. As a president for eight years, if he had done it right, we won’t be in this mess that needs his intervention.

    Leaders, who have similar opportunities, had utilised them not only to uplift the standard of living of their people, but to build leaders who won’t lower the standard.

    I am sure Chief Obasanjo understands this well because he established the African Leadership Forum (ALF) for the same objective. What worries me is why an ex-officio with an “operational objective” could be moving in opposite direction to his objective?

    ALF is a fluke if Senator Iyabo Obasanjo will represent what Baba detests in his letters and boldly ‘scolded’ her biological father as if she has the integrity to enlighten us. Charity is expected to begin from home. And if the leaders groomed by ALF is what his ordained president, Goodluck Jonathan, represents, as painted in the general’s letter, then Baba has failed his fatherland.

    He has failed to provide the youths with the leadership template that will make him to retire in peace from politics and consequently retire from planet earth a celebrated hero. If the realisation of an urgent need to undo certain misdeeds is the driving force of the letter, I may to suggest to the youths that ours is not yet a hopeless situation.

    “Circumstances have changed people more than sermons have,” Winston Churchill famously noted.

    Perhaps, this same impression informed the progressives’ leaders visit to Ota farmer and the quest for ‘navigation’. The positivity or negativity of these impressions could only be judged by time, going by the records.

    In writing to charge the youths to effect change, I also crave Chief Obasanjo to follow up the open letter by restructuring the ALF, evolving pragmatic agro-business project that will strategically absorb growing unemployed youths into the mainstream agricultural sector. These should be done before it’s too late.

    A Yoruba adage says: “The dead goes only back to its stead; the father of a child is always the owner of the child.”

    We do not have another fatherland to claim. The mistakes, ineptitude and (mis)-management of our leaders, take an irreversible toll on our future, and if we do not have another fatherland, our future must be secured by our action today.

     

    Habeeb is a student of Nigerian Law School, Abuja

  • Tambuwal visits Obasanjo, faults Sanusi’s suspension

    Tambuwal visits Obasanjo, faults Sanusi’s suspension

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, visited former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Sunday morning in consultation with him on vital “national issues.”

    Tambuwal who arrived Obasanjo mansion at Olusegun Osoba Hill – Top, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, by 10: 35am in a convoy of four vehicles – all marked NASS, quickly went into a close door meeting.

    In his entourage are honourables: Deputy Minority Leader; Kawu Sumaila(Kano), Ajibola Muraina(Osun) and Aminu Shagari (Sokoto)

    About 37 minutes earlier, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Ado Ibrahim, Kogi State, had also arrived the former President’s residence by 9:58am in convoy of of three Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and left, before Speaker Tambuwal’s convoys entered.

    When the Speaker emerged by 11:45am after an hour – long meeting , he fielded questions from reporters waiting for him within the Obasanjo’s expanse compound on the suspension of the Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and other issues.

    He said the suspension of the CBN Governor by President Goodluck Jonathan portends grave danger to the economy as it could erode investors’ “confidence” in the nation’s financial institution.

    Tambuwal said: “well whether it is lawful, legal or illegal, the personality involved has told everybody that he is going to court and I believe that he is already in court on that suspension.

    ” On the implications on the economy, I’m not an economist but I personally feel that will definitely send wrong signals to investors because, you need to have confidence in financial institution, particularly the independence of the financial institution of a country, before investors will consider such a country worthy of their investments. So, I have my concern about that.”

  • ‘Obasanjo’s indifference won’t affect Ogun PDP’

    ‘Obasanjo’s indifference won’t affect Ogun PDP’

    Chairman, Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bayo Dayo, speaks on the party’s readiness for next year’s general elections, reconciliation of warring groups, the postponed PDP South-West congress and sundry matters. Assistant Editor, Leke Salaudeen, reports.

    With the appointment of a new national chairman of the PDP, what is the situation with the party now?

    All is calm within the party now. The generality of the party members are happy with the emergence of Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu as chairman. The erstwhile national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, did not commit any offence other than his conviction that President Goodluck Jonathan has the constitutional right to contest for a second term. Because there were many grievances and many divisions within the party, Tukur decided to resign for peace to reign. The new leadership is enjoying the support of the PDP chairmen in the 36 states, the PDP governors and Mr. President.

    Mu’azu visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo and sought his co-operation in resolving PDP crisis. Will your group be willing to reconcile with the Obasanjo camp?

    We don’t have factions in the PDP. The entire PDP in Ogun State is with us. I believe the relationship between us and the Obasanjo group can be cordial if both are sincere with one another. The bone of contention is the removal of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Chief Bode Mustapha as National Secretary and National Auditor of the PDP. Both of them are Obasanjo’s men.

    The fact is that Bode Mustapha is not an accountant by profession. He didn’t possess requisite qualification for the office of National Auditor as specified in the PDP constitution. As regards Oyinlola, his nomination for the office of the National Secretary did not follow due process. His appointment was declared null and void by the court. Though he challenged the High Court judgment at the Court of Appeal, which overturned the judgment in his favour, we have appealed against the judgment at the Supreme Court. Until the matter is decided by the apex court, nobody can say anything about it. So, the situation on ground is a legal matter, not a matter of negotiation or dialogue.

    The Odunjirin group in Ogun PDP chapter has petitioned Mu’azu, demanding reinstatement of Oyinlola and others and reinstatement of the dissolved party executive council for peace to reign. What’s your comment?

    Odunjirin and his co-travellers are asking for the impossible. The congress that produced the current executive was monitored by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies. Thereafter, we went to court and the court upheld the congress. We followed due process by holding congresses at ward and local government levels, which culminated in a state congress. Odunjirin group never held any congress. How could they have held a congress without following due process? Odunjirin group didn’t hold congress and it didn’t elect party executives. The court has confirmed this. If they are not satisfied, Odunjirin and his group should go back to challenge the court decision that upheld our congress. The new National Chairman is a law-abiding citizen and believes in the rule of law. He will not condone illegality.

    But Odunjirin group insists that there would be no genuine reconciliation without considering their demands. What is your response?

    What demands are they making? They are just causing distraction. The court has authenticated the party’s executive, led by my humble self. We are working for the progress of the party using the resources of our leader, Prince Buruji Kashamu. Odunjurin has two federal board appointments, I don’t hold any. His son is the Special Adviser to the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga. What does he contribute to the party in spite of all this party patronage? Odunjirin has no followers; he is not a grassroots politician. He can’t win an election in his Remo North Local Government.

    The man had been rejected by the PDP and the court. The leaders can listen to him but nothing can change the status quo in the PDP Ogun State chapter. For now, nothing can be done, our tenure ends in 2016. The PDP is one in Ogun State.

    When will the Southwest Congress hold?

    It is for the National Working Committee to decide. At the pre-National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja recently, we pleaded with the party leadership to fix a date for the congress now that there is no court injunction. On our part, we have zoned the offices to the states. Some people are working underneath to ensure the congress does not hold so that they will continue to appoint their protégés as members of the caretaker committee.

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had decided to step aside from PDP activities. Will his absence affect the PDP’s performance in 2015 elections?

    When Gen Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida stepped out in the midst of June 12 crises, heaven did not fall. If Papa Obasanjo decides to step aside ahead of 2015, we can’t stop him. In 1999, he lost his ward, his local government and the state but the PDP won the presidential election of which he was the party’s standard bearer. He should be bold enough to tell Nigerians his political interest now. His absence will not affect the PDP’s fortunes in Ogun State. Everything is in the hands of God. Nobody owns Nigeria. This country belongs to us all.

    A new group of South-West PDP under the leadership of the former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Richard Akinjide, emerged recently, denouncing the leadership of Prince Buruji Kashamu. What is your view on this development?

    Which group is that? It is unknown to us as leaders of the PDP in the South-West. I think people like Papa Akinjide should be playing the role of elder statesmen now. We have not forgotten the role he played in the two-thirds controversy in the 1979 presidential election. It will not augur well for any Yoruba man to associate himself with another two-thirds agenda. I voted in 1979, I knew all that happened then. Our people will not be part of another two-thirds controversy.

    INEC has released time table for the 2015 general elections. How prepared is the Ogun State PDP chapter?

    We are getting prepared. The PDP in Ogun is working slow and steady to win all the elections in the state. We are not going to use cutlasses or firearms to win the election. We abhor violence in all ramifications. We are not for violence and ballot box-snatching. Things are working in favour of the PDP in Ogun State. All we want from INEC is to create a level playing field for all contestants. Once that is done, I can assure you that the PDP would bounce back to power in Ogun come 2015.

  • Obasanjo, Tambuwal, others for lecture

    Former president Olusegun Obasanjo is scheduled to chair the inaugural public policy lecture organised by the Lagos Chapter of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru (AANI) next month.

    Others eminent personalities expected at the event include: Speaker, House of Representatives, Mallam Aminu Tambuwal; Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega; Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Aloma Mukhtar; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio; Central Bank Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi; and Mr Fola Adeola, former managing director, GTBank.

    The theme of the lecture, scheduled for March 11 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos is: ‘Building credible electoral process for democratic sustainability’, and will be delivered by renowned constitutional lawyer, Prof Itse Sagay.

    A statement by the Chairman, Organising Commitee, Mr. Muyiwa Odejayi, noted that AANI was formed in response to the need for government and the society to constantly tap from the rich mix of high-level manpower nurtured at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

  • Obasanjo failed Lagos – Akiolu

    Obasanjo failed Lagos – Akiolu

    The paramount ruler of Lagos State, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has compared the eight years administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to that of British rule in the state.

    The monarch said British colonial masters did nothing for Lagos, except for their commercial interest in the city.

    Oba Akiolu spoke on Wednesday at the Metropolitan Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, where two books – The Life of James Pinson Labulo Davis – A Colossus of Victorian Lagos and Worthy in Character and Learning, which is a collection of lectures and addresses by the Founder of Lagoon Hospitals, Adeyemo Elebute, were presented to the public.

    He noted that politics should not be mixed with the development of the state.

    “The British gave us only sound administration and I pointed it out to the Queen of England when she visited Lagos during Bola Tinubu’s administration.

    “Anyone coming after me to be the Oba of Lagos will do more than I can do. Although I have told my children never to think that they will succeed me because they still have a lot to learn. They are not well grounded in the things I know.

    “Oba Adeyinka Oyekan taught me on a lot of things that I know and have built on those things today. My being a policeman and lawyer helped me to become well grounded and not easily fooled in politics,” Oba Akiolu stated.

     

  • Obasanjo in Rivers, commissions projects

    Obasanjo in Rivers, commissions projects

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday arrived Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on two-day visit that would see him commissioning many projects executed by the state Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

    Obasanjo, who arrived Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, at about 11:45am was received by Amaechi, top government officials, some royal fathers in the state and a sizable crowd of Rivers people.

    At the time of this report, the former president has commissioned at least six projects namely: the G.U.Ake road at Eliozu; the Okporo road connecting Artillery and the East-west road; the Elekahia-Rumuomasi road; Ken Saro-Wiwa road, the Ambassador Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School and a Health centre at Akpajo.