We must play our roles to see Nigeria of our dream — Obasanjo

Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has called on every Nigerian to play his role in making Nigeria realise its potential in the comity of nations.

The former president, who delivered a keynote address as a special guest of honour at the launch of a book, “Being True to Myself,” an autobiography of former governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, described the former Minister of Foreign Affairs as a dependable and admirable character who is passionate about Nigeria.

According to Obasanjo, Lamido distinguished himself as a thoroughbred professional who carried out a magnificent job as Nigeria’s Foreign Minister at a time when the country was just coming out of the military interregnum and was being seen as a pariah nation.

“Sule has an admirable character, and he is dependable. Our paths crossed when we were in government. Nigeria was a pariah state when we came on board, and we had a lot to do both inside and outside.

“He did a very magnificent job (as a Foreign Affairs minister) that made the Queen of England and the Commonwealth come to Nigeria for CHOGM, which gave us a new outlook in Africa and the world.

“Sule is passionate about Nigeria, and he performed very well as a governor. It is the duty of each and every one of us to see that we get the Nigeria of our dreams,” Obasanjo said.

Speaking earlier, the chairman of the occasion and former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd), who was represented by former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, while calling for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians, said the book has added to collection of books to enrich the knowledge of all.

Today, we witness and welcome another valuable addition to the growing list of books written by key players and actors in Nigeria’s politics and governance spaces.

“In this regard, by a person who has virtually seen it all and done it all since the Second Republic. As a member of the House of Representatives (1979–83), as a chairman of a political party at the state level, and Secretary at the national/federal level under the General Babangida Transition to civil rule program, and as a Foreign Minister and subsequently as a Governor in the Fourth Republic.

“As good autobiographies are expected to do, he has given us, the readers, a rich personal account of his life, offering us a unique perspective on his background, experiences, challenges, triumphs, and post-factual reflections and analysis.

“Being True to Myself is full of insights and wisdom, as the author navigates his childhood memories, career path, life trajectory, and personal lessons from his private and public relations.

“Indeed, as the title suggests, in reading the book, Sule Lamido comes across as genuine, authentic, and honest in conveying his thoughts and feelings in a simple, though not simplistic, way—indeed, in being true to himself.

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“Alhaji Sule Lamido deserves commendation for this contribution. He made a courageous effort of putting pen to paper in the tedious process of producing a book worthy of the name, which adds remarkable value to our understanding of not only his background and experiences but also to our enriched understanding of the dynamics as well as the trials and tribulations of politics and governance in Nigeria.

“It is my hope that in the points of view it conveys, in the facts it presents, or that people may say misrepresent, in the controversies, if any, it may generate,” “Being True to Myself” would inspire many other actors and activists in the Nigerian political and governance spaces to also write and publish more books, which would enable us as citizens to have a clearer understanding of what is the true nature and character of our politics and governance, what the key challenges are requiring serious attention, and how best to collectively apply our energies and resourcefulness to addressing these.

“We all have a role to play to forge unity and engender peaceful coexistence, and contribute to progress and development in our country, Nigeria. The better informed we are, the better the chances of our collective contribution towards sustainable socio-economic development in our country,” the former Head of State said.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party during the 2023 general election and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, called for reading culture among the younger generation, saying the launched book will make them know some history about Nigeria.

Those who attended the event included former vice presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, serving and former governors, members of the National Assembly, former ministers, traditional rulers, among others.

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