Nigerians Lucky to Have Obasanjo, Says Shagari

Date: 18-10-2010 11:54 am (14 years ago) | Author: Aliuniyi lawal
- at 18-10-2010 11:54 AM (14 years ago)
(m)
Former President Shehu Shargari yesterday said Nigerians were lucky to have former President Olusegun Obasanjo in their midst. He said Obasanjo succeeded in most of the tasks he set for himself, but also failed in some others like other leaders when he was in office.
He spoke as President Goodluck Jonathan also extolled Obasanjo’s qualities and said the former president “…is a great man, a patriot, true nationalist, pan Africanist and global citizen”.
Shagari spoke in Abuja in his capacity as Chairman at the launch of two books on Obasanjo: “The Most Significant Achievements of the  Obasanjo Presidency (1999 – 2005): Volumes 1 and 2,”.


According to Shagari, “This is not unusual. I did not achieve all the goals I did set for myself while I was president, either. No one actually does: whether it is in Europe, the Americas or Africa. The real issue is to put in your best, be accountable, honest, disciplined, focused, compassionate, courageous and committed to the common good.”
He said there were few leaders like Obasanjo and that Nigerians were lucky to have him in their country.
“He has served at all levels in war and in peace, as a military man and as a civilian, as an ordinary citizen and as a traditional chief and above all, as a man who believes in God and country,” Shagari said.


Represented at the occasion by Vice President Namadi Sambo, Jonathan lamented that Nigerians were always impatient with their leaders. He also said  it was left for history to judge the leaders according to their conducts while in office.
He said to avoid the pitfall, Jonathan always consults with past leaders before embarking or taking decision on any national issues, often on one on one basis.
“The President often does this in order to draw robustly from their reservoir of experience. But this does not mean that those past leaders do not make mistakes,” he said.


According to the President, there are always  challenges confronting Nigeria as a developing nation, which he said are   numerous and complex, but  said Nigerians must learn to appreciate the commitment, dedication, patriotism and sacrifices of all their past leaders.
“We also as impatient beings, rush to judgement about the records of our leaders. The truth is that our country has been blessed with some of the best minds in the world and with great leaders,” he  said.
As a mortal, Jonathan said  Obasanjo was susceptible to errors, but pointed out that his achievements and successes far outweigh his errors, hence the two volumes were very timely.


The president said Nigeria was gradually consolidating its democratic values and practices and urged that the opportunity be used to build new leaders and new voices. According to him, “the current leaders must deliberately set out to build a successor generation at all levels. If this fails to happen, we may live to regret this oversight,”
Though the book which is titled, “The Most Significant Achievements” of the  Obas-anjo Presidency (1999 – 2005) and edited by Samuel Matthew Abuja, was  launched without the presence of the Chief Host who also did not send any  representative.
But the Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, attributed Obas-anjo’s absence to what he called “family emergency”.

Posted: at 18-10-2010 11:54 AM (14 years ago) | Gistmaniac

fire TRENDING GISTS fire

TODAY'S TOP
  1. Tensions Rise In Libya As Authorities Begin Mass Arrests of Nigerians Amid AFCON Fallout

  2. Gunmen Kill Plateau Lawmaker's Mother-in-law & Brother-in-law, Family Mourns Loss (Photos)

  3. Bobrisky Released From EFCC Detention, Denies Alleged N15 Million Bribery Scandal

  4. "I Almost Poisoned Myself Over False News" - Nollywood Star Eniola Ajao Opens Up

  5. 'Corporate Beggars' On The Rise In Abuja As Economic Hardship Fuels Street Begging Surge

  6. Davido Makes Spotify History With Record-Breaking Single "Awuke"

  7. BBNaija Star, Tacha Joins Ranks Of Football Club Owners With Bold Investment In Nigerian Sports

  8. Ebonyi Community Shaken As Gunmen Kill Farmer & Two Sons On Farmland

  9. One Dead, Several Injured In Multi-Vehicle Crash On Lagos-Badagry Expressway

  10. Body Of 25-Year-Old Man Recovered From Well In Kano State


THIS WEEK
  1. "Every Country We Go To, The President Invites Us For Dinner Except..." - Davido Boasts (Video)

  2. Nigerian Woman Distressed After Husband Deletes Monetized Facebook Page

  3. What is She Up to? Reactions Trail Tiwa Savage’s Private Photo From Her New Song 'Forgiveness'

  4. "How My Friend Wrecked My Marriage" - Nollywood Star, Ronke Odusanya Shares Shocking Experience

  5. Nigerian Billionaire, Chief Ugonna Oragbuchi Buried In N130 Million Gold-Plated Casket (Photos)

  6. Embattled Nigerian Crossdresser,Bobrisky Hospitalized After Arrest By EFCC Amid Health Concerns

  7. Police IG Claims Minors’ Collapse In Court Was A “Scripted” Stunt Amid #EndBadGovernance Trial

  8. Nigerians Are Reacting As Peter Obi Appears on Nedu Wazobia's Podcast Show

  9. U.S. Woman Reveals Disturbing Experience, Explains Why She Avoids Dating Nigerian Men

  10. Third Son, Nonso Lost To Cult Violence As Awka Faces Ongoing Bloodshed


TOP MEMBERS: