The retired Prelate of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Sunday Mbang, has described former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as “best President ever had”.
He said while delivering his message at the thanksgiving service marking the 80th birthday of Obasanjo, held on Sunday at the Chapel of Christ The Glorious King, in Abeokuta.
The service was the climax of a week -long celebration organised by the Centre for Human Security an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL)
The ceremony, had in attendance the chairperson of the Economic of West African States, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former president, Goodluck Jonathan, the Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye.
Others were the governors of Abia State, Chief Victor Ikepazu, Senator Goodswill Akpabio former governors of Oyo, Osun and Ogun States, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, Chief Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Chief Gbenga Daniel respectively.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Osile of Oke-Ona Egba, Oba (Dr) Adedapo Tejuoso and the Olowu of Owu, Oba (Dr) Adegboyega Dosunmu.
The cleric who spoke on the theme: “The quality of a gratitude to God”, urged Nigerians irrespective of status to imbibe the attitude of thanksgiving in all their endeavours.
He said that Obasanjo was able to succeed in his 80 years sojourn on mother earth because he recognised the place of God in the affairs of man through regular morning devotion at Aso Rock when he was the nation’s number one citizen.
Mbang added that Obasanjo always sought for God’s divine guidance by placing government policies before men of God for prayers.
He submitted that successive governments had failed to add to institutions that he established like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), among others.
The cleric who said that he owes no one any apology for his opinion, maintained that the country would have not been importing food items if the ” Operation Feed The Nation” programme initiated by Obasanjo when he was military head of state was adopted by successive governments.
Mbang said, “This is a man I love so well. I fell in love with him because he organised regular morning devotion in the Aso Rock Chapel, not only for the benefit of his family but for others. The Chapel was built within three months, when he became President.
“Even when he was in the throes of death, God was with him. This could be better imagined with the quality of people that witnessed the opening of the Presidential Library.
“The story of what Obasanjo has done will be told everywhere.”
He berated government officials, especially governors, who surrounded themselves with guns wielding policemen, saying such action would denied them access to quality information from members of the public.
Mbang also identified lack of continuity in government policies and programmes as one of the challenges militating against the progress and development of the country.
He said further that if every individual had contributed their quota to the development of their communities, the country would be better for it.
“What are you doing in your own community? There is no continuity in government by some governors. All of you should go to your communities and contribute your widow’s mite towards developing them. I am sure before long, this country will be better for it,” he added.
Obasanjo appreciated the gathering for the honour bestowed on him.
The celebrant read the first Bible lesson, while Adeboye prayed for him in a service conducted by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and President, Nigerian Baptist Convention.
and then