FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigeria’s leaders to be selfless and see this as an opportunity to serve their people.
Obasanjo announced this today during a courtesy visit to Governor Godwin Obaseki at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State’s capital.
The former Nigerian President believes that leadership is both a chance and a privilege.
He stated that contemporary economic circumstances compel those in positions of leadership to make sacrifices and not think only of themselves.
Obasanjo regarded Nigeria’s current condition as regrettable, but he remained optimistic that it would improve with time.
“The situation in Nigeria is hard, unfortunately so, but there is no bad situation that can’t be good but the question is when and how? All we should be saying to those who have the opportunity now (because it’s an opportunity for you to run the affairs of your country and look after your people) is: ‘it should not be me but we, not mine but ours, not my tomorrow but our tomorrow, not my generation but all generations including the generation coming. This is what sustainable development is all about. You don’t eat today and not remember the generation coming that they took have to eat, that is all it is.”
Obasanjo stated that he was in Benin City to pay dowry for his little cousin’s wedding to a Benin girl, and that he also paid courtesy visits to Edo State’s governor and Chief Security Officer.
Obasanjo commented on Governor Obaseki’s developmental progress over the last seven and a half years, stating that he has learned a lot and is now better educated about recent and upcoming events in the state.
On the secret of his good health and agility, the 87-year-old ex-president said, “The secret of good health is the grace of God. You must learn to grow old gracefully with the grace of God. I used the acronym “DREAMSC” which means, Diet, Rest, Exercise, Medicals, Social Interaction and Contentment.
“Exercise is important no matter how old you are, your medical is important, you should interact with people and not be alone or dejected and depressed. Be content with what God has done for you and if not you will run in circles.”
