MINUS POLITICS, CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO IS IN THE CLASS OF NELSON MANDELA

I ran into this online video of the former president of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo where he was featured in an interview with some young people which from my observation fall in the class of University graduates or young business owners. In that video he made a very strong statement that is quite inspirational if we take it as an advice and not politically.

He said…IF YOU SEE WHAT YOU SHOULD DO AND YOU DO NOT DO IT, YOU WILL HAVE WHAT YOU DO NOT LIKE.

Where is the lie in this!

    Chief Olusegun Obasanjo Photo Credit: guardianng.com

I know just a little about the iconic first civilian president of our nation’s first most stable democracy, just the little I read here and there and the times I have heard him speak and the words of mouth of those who either claim to or actually know one or two things about the globally reputable and locally respected leader. I wish every day that Nigeria would draw from the wealth of untapped wisdom that is enveloped within Baba.

It takes a good leader to unite a people and they stay united long after his departure. That leader must know something another aspiring leader should learn. Even as the first military head of state to become the first civilian president of this democratic era, he didn't hold power beyond the stipulated time and still respected the human right of the once military ruled people who would love the adventure of daringly flexing the civilian rights they are now under just like they hear exist in America and London, even though they have never been there to confirm, lol.

No wonder he holds relevant positions in relevant international organizations.

I don’t know how many people will like it but as my personal opinion, I think that the foundation the Egba Icon laid should be built upon.

When the current administration talks about challenges, empty treasuries and bad past leadership as the reason why the country is going through such tremendous hardship, I cannot but wonder who actually met real challenges, empty treasuries and bad past leaders whether it is Baba or the present administration.

Baba was right in that video I watched when he affirmed that without challenges, mismanagement of national treasuries, lack of vision of past leaders and neck breaking loads of problems to be solved, the zest and zeal for leadership should never occur at the first place let alone contesting for such office.

The entire country actually voted you in because of the challenges, emptied treasury and bad past leaders (You automatically become Mr Fix It son of the magician like you said you would in your manifesto) lol, and accepting the office means that you first knew the challenges facing the country, you have thought out strategies to solve those problems, and have built a team of the best hands- people who have produced real results no matter what part of the country they come from to help implement those strategies for effective results.

That should be your primary goal, other goals can be subordinates.

               President Muhammadu Buhari and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

                                                        Photo Credit: vanguardngr.com

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was the one who met real challenges, real looted treasuries, really bad past leaders, real antagonism and real oppositions but as the wise monumental leader and the ever creative and heavily envisioned leader that he is, he found ways to handle those situations without jeopardizing the unity of the nation.

Even as a war hero, he could handle complete free speech from civilian Nigerians. He permitted countless interviews locally and internationally where most times, attacking and even nearly abusive questions were hurled at him by civilian journalists but he handled it with such dexterity much needed in the African continent today.

He allowed each organ of government utilize and maximize the powers of their offices, Organization!

He surrounded himself with the smartest ministers this country has ever seen, this shows a man who believes and thrive on wise ideas of intelligent people and not just a know-it-all person. Most of his ministers have played major roles in subsequent governments after him because of the richness of their human resources and they have continued to perform excellently wherever their expertise are required in the country.

When I look at him, all I see is someone who has loved Nigeria from as when he was a child, and someone who have the general interest of Nigeria and Nigerians than most of his colleagues.

Today millions of Nigerians including my uneducated grandma can miss their children, grandchildren and loved ones much less because they can see and hear them through a voice and video call initiated by a telecommunication device.

The platforms of communication that now happen so easily with just a mobile phone came in the time Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was President.

This shows leadership who planned speedy civilization, development and education for the nation if transparency, continuity and visionary leadership continues.

This is something that would always make him an icon to me even if I am the only one who thinks so of him.

A young comrade in my University days is popular for always referring to information as the currency of time and a popular saying goes thus, “if you are not informed you are deformed”.

Today what the former president contributed is the reason we can easily carry the world along in our plights. Just by sharing a picture or a comment on your social media via the mobile device in your hand or other Internet devices, you could be the next superstar the nation or the entire world is talking about and that is also the reason I can lay on this bed and write this and you and the entire world are reading it at such unimaginable speed.

Take for the instance ‘’The Bring Back Our Girls Campaign’’, which went viral attracting sympathy, support, love and prayer from across the entire planet. That wouldn't be easy or even possible for that small price.

He saved us money and time, connected us to the global community and market and brought us into international competition which would require you to be smart, tech, creative and to always think out of the box while in return could get you international recognition, more money and more experience.

Wasn't that in itself a valuable gift!

Information and Communication technology for those who can identify opportunities when they see one has made education, businesses, lives and society much better now than in the days and times it was lacking. It can make us even much better if we effectively and efficiently mine it.

The former leader gave us what the entire developed world started their journey to greatness with. Information!

He informed our minds because he knew from the beginning that only the Revolution of the Mind would rescue Nigeria from the state in which it is currently and not a bloody one as the 1945 civil war proofs. He strongly believes a great and better Nigeria is possible and that it will happen someday.

He could have kept us in the dark and loot the last dime from the country’s treasury and not have anyone go on twitter, Facebook and Instagram to call him out, but No, he didn't. He didn't just talk about Freedom of Speech; he gave us the platform to express it unlike now that we have Love Speech and Hate Speech, lol.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is a blessing to Nigeria and Africa and we should not wait for his death to eulogize him.

As a nation we must never be far from the wisdom, leadership and advice of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo or else we would certainly need to call his spirit out from his grave after the cold hands of death had snatch him away from us at a ripe old age like what the children of Israel did to Prophet Samuel in the Bible.

And nothing is more romantic about Okikiola than the fact that he is COMING MAN like the Biblical DAVID. Baba is very social and humble. 

                         Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on set of a videoshoot

I have seen countless videos of Baba throwing some really funny jokes, taking some really hard jokes and sharing laughter, broad smiles, shaking hands and tapping the backs of friends and associates, observing international elections and dancing in one video I saw. He is a happy and joyful man, never depressed.

   Chief Olusegun Obasanjo pulling a dance

He is extremely positive and creative, always with advices and contributions to Nigeria and Africa that the nation, the continent and the entire international community consider as valid, rational, wise and the right way to go.

Minus Politics, Obasanjo is in the Class of Nelson Mandela.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo did not look for power, Power looked for him.

Let us as a country lay aside our individual pride, tribe and party politics and draw wisdom where we can find it and when we can find it, so that we would not be A PEOPLE WHO SEES WHAT TO DO BUT FAILS TO DO IT thereby FALLING VICTIM OF WHAT WE DO NOT LIKE.