January 10, (THEWILL) – Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed that his outspoken nature on national and international issues landed him in jail in 1995, under General Sanni Abacha’s military regime.
He equally stated that the quest to save Nigeria from imminent disintegration made him to seek the Presidency in 1999, admitting that he had settled into agriculture after his military service at 42, before the quest came.
Obasanjo, who spoke during an interactive session with youth leaders drawn from different parts of the continent at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library OOPL, at the weekend, charged them on positive leadership roles for the continent.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President spoke when the budding youths under the aegis of Future Africa Leaders Foundation (FALF) came with the winners of the Prestigious and Life Challenging Future Africa Leaders Awards.
He said his experience in prison was part of the challenges of life he personally had and the journey to it started with his inability not to always keep mute.
“I joined the Army and at the age of 42, I finished my career as a military officer, but, what could I do? I was still young, energetic, and dynamic, but I was still young. So, I took to Agriculture and during that time, I went into prison and that is not what I really wanted.
“Going into Prison is really a challenge because I refused to keep quiet. For me, if there is anything to comment on, I did comment on them and so, I landed in prison, and that is a challenge. And, when I came out from prison the situation was bad in the country that some people felt the need to be saved and pressure started started coming.”
Obasanjo also responded to a question on the African debts, lamenting that some of the debts by some countries in the continent were reckless and outright corruption.
“Most of the debts cannot be explained. Some outright corruption”, he disclosed, citing a particular state in Nigeria where the site for a carpet industry was never cleared and the entire loan was repaid.
He commended the participants and organisers, particularly the founder of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, for hosting the 2024 edition of the programme yet again.
“What Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has been doing since 2013 is marvellous and as I said, some people will say, it is just a drop in the ocean, but, many drops in the ocean makes the ocean. I am very pleased and satisfied with him on this project and will continue to wish him all the best.
“I also want to urge the beneficiaries to carry on the torch and spread. Because as the carriers, they have the opportunity to spread the message to other parts of the world by inspiring, enriching and providing for others. So, go and be African leaders of tomorrow; you have even said it is leaders of today and not tomorrow. It is no longer tomorrow but today with positive disruptive action.”
The Star Prize winner of the 2024 edition, Julian Ariori from Republic of Benin, on behalf of her co-winners thanked the former President for playing host to the team, hinting the tour of the Presidential Library opened a new vista to orientation and exposure of the visiting team.
Others include those from Libya, Morocco, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, South Sudan, Malawi, Egypt and Cameroon.
Others were Togo, Ghana, Lesotho, Rwanda, and Burkina Faso, with the Head, Media and Government Relations of the Foundation, Pastor Sylvester Ebhodaghe, as the Chaperon of the visiting team.
