Obasanjo, authentic African icon —Osinbajo

Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has described former president Olusegun Obasanjo, as an international statesman and an authentic African icon.

Osinbajo added that not many people had the opportunity of making history and writing it in life, as done by Obasanjo, who had the rare opportunity of  administering the country, as a military head of state and two-term democratically elected president.

He made the remarks at the grand opening of the multibillion naira Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, on Saturday, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Osinbajo noted that the library would be a resource centre, where younger generations would not only visit to learn from what they see and hear, but also what is unsaid.

“Very few human beings have a chance of making history and fewer still have a good fortune of writing it. Baba Olusegun Obasanjo is certainly one of those rare human beings.

“There are at least two advantages to writing history. The most serious advantage is that, it is one sure way of preserving the lessons, the failures and the successes of the past and we can approach the future with more sure-footedness and less pains.

“History is the most compassionate teacher. At some point in time, we were told in an adage that experience is the best teacher, but now, we know it is only half of a well-said wise saying.

“The full statement of that adage is that experience is the best teacher for a fool.  A wise man doesn’t need the pain of experience, history is a kinder and a more compassionate teacher.

“President Olusegun Obasanjo is, therefore, a gift in various ways. His  destiny is intricately tied to the history of Nigeria from independence to civil war, becoming the Head of State, handing over to civil rule and being twice elected as President of Nigeria and then handing over to another President.

“ His enduring legacy will be his belief  in one strong, detribalised Nigeria and this is so evidenced in the gatherings of Nigerians here today. He also believes in words and in practice that Africa united in vision and thoughts again, that Pan-Africanist vision is evident in the large gathering of African be serving and former Heads of governments here present.

“But, we diminish his vision if we do not recognise his place as a world-statesman, even that is evident from the representatives of the world that are present here today,” Osinbajo said.

The chairperson, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who chaired the occasion, said the establishment  of the  Presidential Library by Obasanjo, has become a  precedence that must be emulated by African leaders.

Sirleaf recalled that the first Presidential Library was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt of the United States of America in 1941,  and commended  Obasanjo for the  initiative in establishing the first presidential library in Africa.

She said that such libraries would avail the governments to preserve  records of their past for future generation.

“History will bear truth to this precedence setting occasion in Africa. This will be a long legacy for successful retiring presidents to record and preserve the history of nation-building for prosperity and for the benefit of today and future generations.

Obasanjo, in his welcome address, said the establishment of the library was a culmination and fulfillment of an ambition which started in 1988.

He said that he embarked on the project in which he was not such of its end.

Obasanjo appreciated all those who contributed immensely in making the project a reality.

The event was attended by former United Nations Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan; former president of Ghana, Mr John Kuffor; former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar; former President Goodluck Jonathan; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Lagos State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode and the national leader of the All Progressives Congress of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Others are former governors of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Chief Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala; former governor of Jigawa, Mallam Sule Lamido;  former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke and former governor of Osun State, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Others present were business moguls, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, the chairman of the United Bank for Africa, Mr. Tony Elumelu, ministers of Solid Mineral Development, Finance, Transportation and Information and Culture, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and Alhaji Lai Mohammed respectively;  former Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; Mr Segun Awolowo, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi and the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

Sunday Tribune recall that the ground breaking ceremony of OOPL took place in 2005.

Facilities within the library complex include a museum, a wildlife park,senior citizens centre, Youth Development Centre, Green Legacy Resort, Senior Citizens Centre, among others.

Ajimobi, Lai Mohammed felicitate with OBJ

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi has felicitated with Obasanjo, describing him as a quintessential leader and passionate lover of his fatherland.

The governor’s remark was contained in a statement issued in Ibadan on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi  Layinka.

According to Ajimobi, attaining the enviable age of 80 is a special grace and remarkable feat which calls for celebration.

“Chief Obasanjo deserves all the celebrations. He is not only a rare breed but also, a symbol of divine grace whose life is worthy of emulation by every Nigerian,” he said.

The governor commended Obasanjo for his strong belief in the indivisibility of Nigeria, saying this had informed his active participation in the 30-month civil war to ensure that the country remained together, under whatever circumstance.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also lauded Obasanjo’s roles in the successful hosting of the historic FESTAC ‘77 as the military Head of State.

Mohammed spoke on Friday evening in Abeokuta at a programme organised by the Centre for Black Arts and Africa Civilisation (CBAAC), marking Obasanjo’s 80th birthday and celebration of FESTAC ‘77 at 40.

The minister, represented by Mr George Ufot, the General Manager, National Theatre, said, “Indeed, the history of FESTAC ’77 hosted by Nigeria in 1977 will be incomplete without making reference to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo.

“We all recall how Obasanjo and other heroes of FESTAC ’77 rose above the pervasive cultural intolerance that was prevalent at the period leading to the festival.

“I am particularly pleased, because today’s programme is designed to honour an illustrious son of Africa, a culture advocate and a true Pan-Africanist on his 80th birthday,” he said.