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Tag: Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL)

  • BREAKING: Lion kills zoo keeper at Obasanjo presidential library 

    BREAKING: Lion kills zoo keeper at Obasanjo presidential library 

    A lion at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, has killed its handler identified as Babaji Daule. 

    The library is one of the legacies of global statesman, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a one-time Nigerian Head of State and twice elected President.

    The Nation learnt the victim’s body has been removed and taken to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital. 

    A statement by the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, on Sunday, September 29 explained that 35-year-old Duale was said to have been careless by not securing the locks and barricade the lion’s enclosure before feeding the lion.

    The wild animal was said to have escaped and attacked the victim on the neck which resulted to death.

    The statement reads: “A deadly incident involving a wild animal attack has been reported by the Area Commander metro. On September 28, 2024, at about 7:40 hrs the Chief Security Officer of Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library informed the divisional police officer that a 35-year-old man named Babaji Daule from Bauchi State, who is a trained handler of a male lion at the Zoological Garden in OOPL Abeokuta, tragically lost his life.

    “It was discovered that the lion handler carelessly neglected to secure the locks and barricade the of lion’s enclosure before approaching the cage to feed the animal. This negligence allowed the lion to escape and attack the handler, resulting in fatal injuries to the handler’s neck and eventual death

    “The victim’s body was removed and taken to the mortuary at Ijaye General Hospital, while the wild lion was shot to release its grip on the handler.”

    Recall in February, a veterinary technologist working at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)’s Zoo, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Olabode Olawuyi, was also killed by a lion, which was later shot dead

  • 2019: You’re next President of Nigeria, Obasanjo tells Atiku

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday forgave his former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alh. Atiku Abubakar, of any wrong doing and declared him the nation’s next President in 2019.

    Obasanjo who addressed Atiku as ” President – to- be” and congratulated him in advance,  added that he and others have  reviewed what went wrong on the side of Atiku and submitted that  the PDP Presidential candidate  has “re-discovered and re-positioned himself.”

    Read Also:Atiku, Secondus meet Obasanjo in Abeokuta

    The Ebora Owu made this known in his address at his residence within the sprawling Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) when Atiku and his entourage comprising the PDP National Chairman, Uche Second us, former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke,  Director – General, Atiku Campaign Organisation (ACO), Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Father Matthew Kukah and renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Gunmi.

    Atiku’s visit is coming about 48 hours after an elder statesman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, led a delegation of Afenifere leaders to the Ebora Owu, where the spokesman of the Socio – cultural organisation, Yinka Odunmakin hinted that the Yoruba race in Nigeria would support a presidential candidate with an agenda to restructure the nation’s flawed federation.

    So far, former Vice – President Atiku had continued to promise Nigerians that he would restructure the country within his first year in office if given the mandate to preside over the affairs of Nigeria.

    And Obasanjo’s voice is also considered very critical to the electoral fortune of any politician and it is generally believed that whoever earned his endorsement stand a better chance of getting national acceptance, and hitherto, the former President has been unsparing in portraying Atiku as undeserving of the office of Nigerian President.

    But after Thursday’s meeting Obasanjo’s position on Atiku changed, tilting towards helping him to win the 2019 presidential race against the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

    “I am happy to welcome the distinguished leaders of goodwill who have led the PDP Presidential Candidate and my former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, to my humble abode and I welcome the Presidential Candidate himself.

    “Let me start by congratulating President-to-be, Atiku Abubakar, for his success at the recent PDP Primary and I took note of his gracious remarks in his acceptance speech that it all started here. Yes, when it started, it was meant for Atiku to succeed Obasanjo.

    “In the presence of these distinguished leaders of goodwill today, let me say it openly that we have reviewed what went wrong on the side of Atiku.  And in all honesty, my former Vice-President has re-discovered and re-positioned himself.

    “As I have repeatedly said, it is not so much what you did against me that was the issue but what you did against the Party, the Government and the country.

    “I took the stand I had taken based on the character and attributes you exhibited in the position you found yourself.  I strongly believe that I was right. It was in the overall interest of everyone and everything to take such a position.

    “From what transpired in the last couple of hours or so, you have shown remorse; you have asked for forgiveness and you have indicated that you have learnt some good lessons and you will mend fences and make amends as necessary and as desirable.

    “Whenever or wherever you might have offended me, as a Christian who asks for God’s forgiveness of my sins and inadequacies on daily basis, I forgive and I sincerely advise you to learn from the past and do what is right and it will be well with you.  Obviously, you have mended fences with the Party and fully reconciled with the Party.

    “That’s why today, you are the Presidential Candidate of the Party.  In addition to appreciating all that the Party has done for you, may I advise you to work together with all those who contested for the Party’s flag with you as a team for your campaign.

    “There are still areas, nationally and internationally, where you have to mend fences and make amends.  You will know how to handle what is already out and what may yet be put out by the opposition.  But, I am convinced that if you continue with the attitude that brought you here with these distinguished leaders of goodwill, with remorse and contrite heart, the rest of the coast within and outside the country can be cleared.

    “And if there is anything I can do and you want me to do in that respect, I will do.  I am sure with the right attitude for change where necessary, and by putting lessons learned by you to work, you will get the understanding, cooperation, support and mandate – all at the national level.

    “With Nigerians voting for you, it will mean that you secure their forgiveness and regain their confidence. It will be with the hope or assurance of a Paul on the road to Damascus Conversion. After all, change and conversion are of man. I believe that with a contrite heart, change is possible in everybody’s life and situation.

    “For me, relatively and of all the aspirants in the PDP, you have the widest and greatest exposure, experience, outreach and possibly the best machinery and preparation for seeing the tough and likely dirty campaign ahead through.

    “From what I personally know of you, you have capacity to perform better than the incumbent. You surely understand the economy better; you have business experience, which can make your administration business-friendly and boost the economy and provide jobs.

    “You have better outreach nationally and internationally and that can translate to better management of foreign affairs.  You are more accessible and less inflexible and more open to all parts of the country in many ways.  As Pastor Bakare, one-time running mate of the incumbent President said, “You are a wazobia man.”

    “And that should help you in confronting the confrontable and shunning nepotism.

    “As you know, along the road to where you are today, many leaders and ordinary people cooperated and overtly and covertly worked hard.  On your behalf, I thank them all.  May their coast continue to be expanded.

    “And when you become Nigerian President which, insha-Allah, you will be, remember what we did together in government – we ran an administration by Nigerians for all Nigerians where merit and performance count more than blood relationship, friendship or kith and kin.

    “Although some time and ground have been lost, you should endeavour to start from where we stopped and recover some lost ground, if not time.

    Please uphold truth, integrity, principles, morality and fight corruption, crimes and insurgency.

    “The fundamental law of the land, our constitution must be scrupulously defended. I make one demand and one demand on you today, I need you to say before God and man that you will always remain irrevocably committed to upholding ALL the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the whole country will remain your single indivisible constituency.

    “Constitutionalism, popular participation and inclusiveness are pre-conditions for reversing the deficits of the past three and half years. They will ensure abiding faith in our indivisibility, oneness and faith in the survival of all against none.

    “The fundamentals for our development, economic growth and progress are hard and soft infrastructure.  Remember to always give adequate places in your administration to our youth and women.

    “All the authorities involved with the preparation, all processes and conduct of the election must ensure that the election is free, fair and credible.

    “Once again, congratulations and I wish you well.  My distinguished brothers and leaders of goodwill, thank you for making this happen.  I will now count on you to encourage all hands to be on the deck to take Nigeria to the level God has created it to be – autopilot level. God bless you all and God bless Nigeria.”

     

  • Jubilations, rekindled hope as Obasanjo storms PDP rally in Ogun

    It was wild jubilations and rekindled hope for thousands of members and supporters of the Ogun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday evening when former President Olusegun Obasanjo briskly stormed the political rally of a governorship aspirant of PDP in the state, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu.

    Obasanjo who dressed in white kaftan caused not a small stir and contagion of excitements among the crows when he dashed into the rally and waved, an indication in his heart, he wished the party and Oladipupo  Adebutu success in his aspiration.

    Read Also:Soyinka: Obasanjo failed woefully

    Ebora Owu who quitted partisan politics in the build – up to the 2015 general elections, did not speak during the brief moment at the rally that took place at an expanse ground within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    Earlier, the House of Representatives member, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu urged Nigerians in all levels of leadership to provide good governance to the people, saying that is the only way to secure their “exalted positions and wealth.”

    Adebutu said high and mighty fences or trenches could hardly secure but would just entrap one in an environment of poor governance.

    The lawmaker representing Remo Federal Constituency in Ogun State gave the advice at the Ake Palace, Abeokuta, when he met with the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, and his chiefs prior to the rally at OOPL.

    He was at the Palace to thank the Paramount ruler for his prayer in 2015 when he was contesting for the current seat being occupied by him at the lower chamber of the National Assembly and to also seek further blessings from the royal father ahead of his 2019 governorship ambition in the state.

    Adebutu said good governance would bring genuine growth and development to the people and curbs corruption.

    He also noted with proper orientation, fear of God and compassion for others, a leader would able to shun corruption.

    According to him, if one has the compassion for others at heart, it would be difficult for one to appropriate collective wealth for persona benefits.

  • 2019: We must put horse first before the cart, says Obasanjo

    2019: We must put horse first before the cart, says Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Wednesday, declared that the  way to go and make the country great again is to put the youth and women forward where they would realise their legitimate interest and power in governance.

    Obasanjo said he has unalloyed passion for greater Nigeria but added that he neither has a candidate nor is backing anyone for an elective office in 2019.

    The Ebora Owu, who is championing a Third Force – Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM),  to galvanize Nigerians  to demand a paradigm shift in the  present system of things,  noted that he would not budge in his earlier resolve  to remain an elder statesman.

    He spoke at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when a youth group from Delta State, led a governorship aspirant, Frank Ufuoma Esanubi, to pay him a courtesy visit.

    He reiterated that the CNM would remain a socio-political movement, insisting he would cease to be a member of the Coalition if it turns partisan.

    The ex – President explained that that transitions that had taken place in the country since independence neglected the people at the grassroots.

    According to him, his letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, was not meant to belittle the office of the president or embarrass the occupant, but to articulate his position about the situations in the country and offer sincere advice.

    Obasanjo said the press statement was well thought out, and not a product of frivolity.

    “In the year 2015, I said I would no longer participate in partisan politics. And I still stand by my decision. Everybody, irrespective of his or her political affiliation is free to come here for advice, I will gladly do that. I have no candidate, whatsoever, for any political office. I just believe that things must be done differently in Nigeria to get different result.

    “If you study our transitions since the colonial era, they have all taken place without taking the people of the grassroots into consideration. So, CNM is about the people at the grassroots. It is a socio-economic movement where youth and women, especially, will be given opportunity to appreciate their interests and power. Unlike before, I believe we must put the horse before the cart.

    “If the system and the platform sync, I believe Nigeria will get there. And like I said, the moment the Coalition gets involved in candidate sponsoring or participates in partisan politics, I will opt out of it,” Obasanjo said.

    Earlier, Esanubi said his group’s visit to Obasanjo was to pay homage to him and intimate him on their resolve to heed his clarion call for Nigerians to come together under the CNM, for a better Nigeria.

     

  • Buhari urges religious leaders to fight corruption

    Buhari urges religious leaders to fight corruption

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday charged religious leaders to use their exalted position to assist the on – going crusade against corruption in the country when ministering to followers.

    Buhari said the battle to rid the nation of corruption and corrupt practices should not be left for the administration alone, adding that with the collective support of majority of Nigerians, the menace could be fought to a standstill.

    The President who spoke at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital, during the 55th anniversary Conference of the League of Imams and Alfas of Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States, was represented by his Special Adviser on Political Affable, Babafemi Ojudu.

    At the event which was also used to install former Minister of Steel and ex – Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Alh. Tunji Sarafa, as the new Baba Adini of Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States, the President lauded the body for praying fervently for his recovery during the long period he was ill, urging them to continue to pray for him and the unity of the country.

    Buhari said it also was heartwarming to know the Registrar of Joint Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Isiaq Oloyede, is one of them and has represented the religion of Islam and the organization well in the manner he had demonstrated accountability, transparency and commitment.

    He said since the birth of JAMB body has remitted to the coffers of the federal government what Oloyede had paid as the Registrar of the examination body.

    Also, Governor Ibikunle Amosun who declared the conference open urged Muslim Imams and Alfas to continue to work for the peace and unity of the country.

    Amosun said Islam is a religion of peace and advised adherents, particularly the elders and leaders in the faith, to inculcate this into the youths so that they do not conduct themselves in manner that could convey erroneous impressions about the religion.

    The Governor noted that there was the overriding need for Nigerians, notwithstanding their different geographical locations, creeds and ethnic nationalities to live in unity so that genuine growth and development can take place in the country.

    He noted that no people or nation can achieve anything worthwhile in an environment of chaos, hence the need for every citizen to work for the peace of Nigeria.

    “Nothing good can come from an atmosphere of violence, rancour and in atmosphere where people don’t love or tolerate one another. We have to do more in working for the unity of Nigeria,” Amosun said.

    On the new Baba Adini, Tunji Sarafa, Amosun said the office is a “big burden” and prayed that the almighty Allah would grant him the strength and wisdom to succeed.

    In his welcome address, the President – General of League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba land, Edo and Delta States, Sheikh Muhammed  Jamiu Bello, called for the continued unity of the body and Nigeria.

  • No hope for Nigeria without agriculture, says Obasanjo

    No hope for Nigeria without agriculture, says Obasanjo

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday declared that Nigeria may not be able to rise above its socio- economic woes and becomes great until it takes agriculture serious.

    Obasanjo said agriculture has the capacity to develop entrepreneurs and create millions of jobs for the increasing Nigerian idle population, lamenting that the oil sector which seemed attractive, could only make few millionaires.

    The Ota farmer spoke at the Youth Enterprises Summit organised by the Youth Development Centre, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    The ex – President who described agriculture as his “second career,” said not many countries in the world were able to attain greatness without recourse to agriculture, recalling that his administration opened doors of opportunity which made billionaires in Nigeria today.

    “The truth is this, If we are going to have employment for a millions of youth in this country, it will be mainly in Agriculture business not in Oil and Energy. Oil and energy will give you money; will make few billionaires and multi billionaires.

    “I opened the opportunity and they took advantage of it, and I thank them for taking advantage of it. All of those who took advantage of it, in oil and gas, banking, manufacturing and all that.

    “All the billionaires we have today, they came out as a result of them taking advantage of those opportunities.

    “And I am grateful to them that the opportunity that may administration created, they grabbed it and utilised it. One thing is to create opportunity another thing is to find people who will seize the opportunity and make what they have to make out of it.

    “But let take agriculture, we will never make it in this country until we take agriculture seriously. There are not many countries that have made it without taking agriculture seriously,” Obasanjo said.

    In his address, the Chairman of the occasion and Deputy Chief Coordinator, OOPL, Ayodele Aderinwa painted a scary picture of poverty awaiting Nigeria and other African nations due to the growing youth population.

    Reeling out statistics, Ayodele predicted that African youths population may hit 850million by 2050, saying the wealth creation via entrepreneurship is the way to tackle poverty.

    He said poverty alongside other problems had been with African from pre-colonial era, but all challenges were fought and won but poverty war stands undefeated.

    “Poverty connotes darkness and to fight the darkness. So, there is need to shine the light of wealth creation on poverty’s darkness,” he said.

    The Keynote speaker, Tope Shonubi who spoke on “Youth and Entrepreneurship in Nigeria: Which way forward” and submitted that Nigerian youths have enteyrpreneurship skills, but lack discipline.

    Shonubi urged youths to be consistent, humble, self-confident and embrace entreneurship with a view to adding values to human lives.

     

  • Nigeria, destined to be great- former US Ambassador

    Nigeria, destined to be great- former US Ambassador

    Mr Andrew Young, former Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Nations (UN) has described Nigeria as a nation destined to be great.

    Young made the observation in Abeokuta, Ogun, at a symposium organised as part of the activities to celebrate the 80th birth anniversary of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Saturday.

    The subject of the symposium, organised by the Centre for Human Security, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Library, is, “Purposes and Utilitarian Values of Presidential Libraries.”

    Citing Obasanjo as an example, Young noted that Nigeria had produced great minds who had done great things and respected all over the world.

    “I have seen Nigerians abroad.

    “They are brilliant, intelligent and hardworking and respectable,” he said.

    He, however, expressed concern that Nigeria was yet to fully realise and appreciate the great destiny it carries.

    The former US diplomat likened Nigeria’s destiny to the Biblical Israelites whose ancestors served under slavery for several years in spite being destined by God to be great.

    “The slavery of Nigeria is corruption, laziness, selfishness and refusal to realise that she is a nation destined to be great.”
    Young, however, expressed the belief that Nigeria was set to be liberated from whatever it had become slave unto.

    The ambassador described the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), to be inaugurated on Saturday as one of the platforms that would launch Nigeria into enviable heights among nations of the world.

    “I see the library as something that will not only teach young Nigerians about their rich heritage, but will also point them to the great future of the nation.

    “I see the nation, Nigeria, rising and occupying a significant position like China, US and other great nations of the world,” he said.

    Ambassador Mary Khimulu, former Permanent Delegate of Kenya to UNESCO also described the library as “a new African record”.

    Khimula, who pledged to be an ambassador of the library, called for more of such projects in Africa.

    Mr Fred Awaah, former Secretary-General, All-Africa Association of Students’ Union, described the library as a pride of the African continent.

    He expressed joy that the work had served as a catalyst and engendered a re-awakening among African leaders, adding that two other similar projects were ongoing in the continent.

    “Such libraries would afford us the opportunity to tell the world our stories from our own perspective rather than have it misinterpreted by other people,” he said.

    Awaah, who stressed the importance of presidential libraries, called on African governments to put necessary laws in place to prioritise the establishment of such libraries for an exiting presidents.

    “The US which realises the importance has the Presidential Library Act of 1955 as well as the Public Records Act of 1978,” he said.

    Obasanjo, in his closing remarks, described the library as an opportunity given to him by God to correct his past mistakes of not documenting some materials.

    He expressed optimism that the library would stimulate tourism in and promote the image of Nigeria globally.

    The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library will also be inaugurated on Saturday.