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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo Revels at 87

Published

1 year ago

March 10, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Two terms civilian president and former military head of state, Olusegun Obasanjo, has celebrated his 87th birthday, looking fit as a fiddle. The multi-faceted birthday celebration accommodated praises, get-together and book launch among others, thereby igniting the Obasanjo Farm home of the former leader, located in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Born on March 5, 1937, in Abeokuta, Obasanjo, who is arguably Nigeria’s biggest political brand, served as President of Nigeria from 1999 to 2007, during which time he played an instrumental role in bringing democracy back to the Nigeria.

His political and economic sagacity within the period has remained a reference point for subsequent administrations both in Nigeria and the African continent.

He was Chairperson of the African Union from July 2004 to January 2006, and was inducted by the UN as Special Envoy for Africa in 2008. Since then, he has overseen elections in countries across the African continent on behalf of the African Union and ECOWAS.

A man, who draws accolades, and sometimes criticisms as result of his fearless position on issues of both regional and national importance, Obasanjo has received praise both for overseeing Nigeria’s transition to representative democracy in the 1970s and for his Pan-African efforts to encourage cooperation across the continent.

THE BOOK LAUNCH

In commemoration of the 87th birthday, Obasanjo unveiled a new book, titled: “The Art of Leading: Unconventional Wisdom from Biblical Leaders.”

The book, according to his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, was unveiled a day before the birthday, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with notable personalities including the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, in attendance

Speaking during the launch of the book and dinner held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library as part of his 87th birthday anniversary, the celebrant said without quality leadership Africa would not progress much.

While reviewing the book, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Hassan Kukah, said “the 13-chapter book spoke on how Christians can make an impact in politics, stressing that Nigerian leaders must cooperate with the grace of God.”

According to the statement, Kukah said Christians in politics must infuse values into politics which must be evident for all to see.

The special guest of honour and former president of Ghana, John Mahama, in his remarks, said leaders should lead with wisdom.

The event was said to have been attended by traditional rulers, captains of industry, diplomatic corps members, academics from tertiary institutions, and close associates of the former President.

WHAT TOP SOCIETY SAID ABOUT OBASANJO

As the former president celebrates, accolades and encomium have continued to flow from top society.

A LEADING VOICE ON POLITICAL EMANCIPATION – Dapo Abiodun

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has described Obasanjo as a leading voice in the quest for political emancipation and good governance.

Abiodun stated this at a lecture to mark Obasanjo’s 87th birthday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

The lecture was tagged: “Quality Leadership and Inclusive Democracy as Catalysts for Development in a Strife-Ridden World.”

Abiodun said Obasanjo was a global leader despite being deeply connected with his roots.

“Baba has become a world-respected democratic leader, a detribalised Nigerian, and a pan-African whose passion and vision is for Africa that is being led by quality leadership for the desired economic development.

“Baba is deeply connected to his roots. Baba’s passion for his culture and tradition is unparalleled.

“Baba remains the leading voice in his quest for political emancipation, good governance, anti-corruption, and social justice,” Abiodun said.

The governor commended the former President for being far-sighted with a knack for nurturing leaders.

The event was chaired by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who identified access to justice, quality of elections, and tribalism as some of the factors working against quality leadership in Africa.

Jonathan said there was a need to look at the issues of winner-takes-it-all in politics, noting that an elected President does not belong to his political party alone.

OBASANJO IS A TRUE PATRIOT – Peter Obi

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, also felicitated with Obasanjo, as he joined him in his Birthday Thanksgiving Service at The Chapel of Christ The Glorious King, OOPL, Abeokuta to mark the commencement of his 87th birthday celebrations, describing him as a true patriot whose ultimate desire is the development and progress of our nation.

Obi said, “I was delighted to celebrate with this very revered Nigerian who has contributed immeasurably to the growth of our nation. His love for the nation is very evident in his firm commitment to the unity and peace of our dear nation.

“President Obasanjo remains a true leader who not only engineered so many positive transformations in our nation but left behind a sound economic foundation, which if we have followed, we would not be in the sorry state we are today.

“With our dear nation, going through very challenging times, occasioned by leadership failure, President Obasanjo has continued to courageously add his voice to demand good governance in the country. He not only speaks, but he takes action to ensure that our nation is saved from further chaos.

“As a father figure, he has continued to inspire and mentor the younger generation in transformational leadership. I am delighted to celebrate him today,” Obi enthused.

The former governor of Anambra State prayed to God to grant Obasanjo more healthy and fruitful years, as he continues to play his part in the development of the nation, through his immeasurable contributions.

OBASANJO INSPIRES FAITH IN NIGERIA – Ademola Adeleke

Governor of Osun State Ademola Adeleke, on his part, also felicitated with former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a patriot who inspires faith in Nigeria.

Governor Adeleke who salutes Chief Obasanjo for his selfless contributions towards the advancement of Nigeria, praises him for making the service to the country a point of call.

Adeleke in a statement by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, hailed the former president for the sacrifices and moral support put into making sure that Nigeria navigates through turbulent times.

The governor recognises Obasanjo’s frontline roles in restoring peace and stability in the African continent, adding that his efforts towards sustaining democracy and national unity remained outstanding and commendable.

“I join family, friends and associates to celebrate a great patriot and passionate leader, His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on the occasion of his 85th birthday,” the governor noted in a congratulatory message.

“Chief Obasanjo embodies sacrifices, dedicating decades to the Nigeria project, bleeding himself on the field for the unity of Nigeria, and as a civilian president, initiated a series of reforms that took Nigeria out of the woods and set it on the course of growth and prosperity.”

OBASANJO HAS DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL WISDOM AND STATESMANLIKE QUALITIES – Charles Soludo

Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, expressed warm felicitations to former President Olusegun Obasanjo on the celebration of his 87th birthday.

The Governor noted President Obasanjo’s journey has been marked by remarkable achievements, unparalleled dedication to public service, and an uncommon commitment to the advancement and peace of our nation and the African continent as a whole.

“His visionary leadership has left an indelible mark on the political landscape of Nigeria in a way that continues to inspire successive leaders.

“Throughout his illustrious life, President Obasanjo has demonstrated exceptional wisdom and statesmanlike qualities that continue to guide Nigeria through the complexities of changing times.

“His relentless pursuit of peace, unity, and progress, as well as his steadfast resolve in fostering dialogue on critical issues such as governance, economic development, and regional stability has earned him respect and admiration both at home and abroad.

“In addition to his contributions to governance and diplomacy, President Obasanjo remains a symbol of resilience and courage in the face of adversity. His dedication to the ideals of democracy and justice serves as a guiding light for all who aspire to build a better, more equitable society.”

OBASANJO’S LIFE IS A TESTAMENT OF UNWAVERING DEDICATION – Bala Mohammed

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has also extended his warmest felicitations and best wishes to the former president.

Governor Mohammed described the life of Chief Obasanjo a testament to his unwavering dedication, commitment, exceptional leadership qualities and enduring service to our beloved nation .

The Governor said, through the years, the visionary leadership of Chief Obasanjo has guided Nigeria through both triumphs and challenges, with an unwavering resolve to uphold the principles of democracy, unity and progress.

“Your distinguished military career to your transformation tenure as president of Nigeria , have consistently demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the advancement of our great nation and the betterment of our people,” the governor said.

The governor prayed for the continued good health , happiness , prosperity of the former president in the years ahead as well as his long lasting legacy to continue to inspire and uplift all Nigerians as we strive towards a brighter and more prosperous future.

Obasanjo has remained Nigeria’s most prolific president since the return to civil rule in 1999.

Featured

Presidency Condemns Misrepresentation of Shettima’s Comments

Published

2 days ago

July 11, 2025

Eric

The Presidency has dismissed claims that Vice President Kashim Shettima’s recent comments were directed at the political situation in Rivers State or President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s constitutional decisions on the matter.

In a statement on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha, the Presidency described the reports as a “gross misrepresentation.”

The statement clarified that Vice President Shettima’s remarks at the public presentation of a book by former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), were misconstrued by some online platforms and individuals.

“These reports have distorted the Vice President’s comments in pursuit of a mischievous agenda,” it stated.

“They twisted his account of how the administration of former President Jonathan considered removing him as Borno Governor during the insurgency to falsely link it with current events in Rivers State.”

The Vice President, who spoke at the launch of OPL 245: The Inside Story of the $1.3 Billion Oil Block in Abuja on Thursday, was said to have referenced the past solely to commend Adoke’s professionalism while in office, and to reflect on Nigeria’s constitutional evolution regarding federal and state relations.

“For the avoidance of doubt, President Tinubu did not remove Governor Fubara from office. The constitutional measure implemented was a suspension, not an outright removal.

“This action was taken in response to the grave political crisis in Rivers State at the time, with the governor facing a looming impeachment and the State Assembly complex under demolition,” Nkwocha clarified.

The Presidency insisted that the action taken by President Tinubu in declaring a state of emergency and suspending the Governor was fully in line with Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which authorises such measures when there is a breakdown of public order requiring extraordinary intervention.

According to the statement, the President’s proclamation invoking Section 305(2) was subsequently ratified by an overwhelming bipartisan majority in the National Assembly, confirming the legitimacy and constitutional propriety of the decision.

“The action of President Tinubu in suspending Mr. Fubara and others from exercising the functions of office averted the governor’s outright removal. To conflate suspension with removal is misleading,” the statement further noted.

Nkwocha also stressed that Vice President Shettima’s comments were delivered extemporaneously and intended to underline the importance of public accountability and historical documentation.

He referenced the Vice President’s mention of past public servants, including Adoke and former Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, to illustrate principled leadership.

“His remarks were not in any way a criticism of President Tinubu’s actions, which the Vice President and the entire administration fully support and stand by without reservation,” the spokesman stated.

The Vice President, the statement added, remains in “loyal concert” with President Tinubu and is committed to implementing all constitutional measures necessary to safeguard democracy and uphold order across the country.

Concluding, the Presidency called on media organisations and political actors to desist from misrepresenting public remarks for sensational or partisan purposes.

“We urge media organisations and political actors to desist from the destructive practice of wrenching statements from context in order to fabricate nonexistent conflicts,” Nkwocha said.

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Rehabilitation Challenges: Sale of Refineries Remains a Possibility, Says Ojulari

Published

2 days ago

July 11, 2025

Eric

The Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Bayo Ojulari, has acknowledged growing complexities in the effort to revamp Nigeria’s state-owned refineries.

Although the Port Harcourt refinery began processing crude oil again on November 26, it was later shut down in May for maintenance.

Meanwhile, rehabilitation work is still ongoing at the Warri and Kaduna refineries.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg on the sidelines of the 9th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Austria, Ojulari said NNPC is in the process of reassessing its refinery strategies, with plans to conclude the review by the end of the year.

“So refineries, we made quite a lot of investment over the last several years and brought in a lot of technologies. We’ve been challenged,” he said.

“Some of those technologies have not worked as we expected so far. But also, as you know, when you’re refining a very old refinery that has been abandoned for some time, what we’re finding is that it’s becoming a little bit more complicated.

“So we’re reviewing all our refinery strategies now. We hope before the end of the year, we’ll be able to conclude that review. That review may lead to us doing things slightly differently.”

When asked whether the review could result in selling the refineries, Ojulari said a sale remains a possibility.

“But what we’re saying is that sale is not out of the question. All the options are on the table, to be frank, but that decision will be based on the outcome of the reviews we’re doing now,” he said.

Ojulari also addressed the cost of oil production in Nigeria, stating that operating expenses range between $20 and $30 per barrel.

“For the cost of crude production, there’s a capital cost and there are the operating costs,” he said.

“The operating cost right now in Nigeria is hovering over $20 per barrel, which is quite high.

“Part of that is because of the investment we’ve had to make in terms of security of our pipelines, which as you know, today we have 100 percent availability of our pipelines. That came out of significant investment.

“So we believe with time, with stability, that cost will start going down, but for now it’s somewhere between $25 and $30 a barrel.”

Looking ahead, Ojulari said NNPC aims to increase Nigeria’s oil output to 1.9 million barrels per day (bpd) by the end of the year.

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Review Your New Visa Rules, Tinubu’s Govt Urges U.S.

Published

3 days ago

July 10, 2025

Eric

The Federal government has responded to the United States’ recent visa rules that reduce how long Nigerian visitors can stay in the United States and limit them to one entry per visa by calling on Washington to reconsider its new visa policy.

The U.S. Department of State had recently updated its non-immigrant visa policy for several countries, including Nigeria, on Tuesday.

Under the new rule, most non-diplomatic and non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be valid for only three months and allow just a single entry into the United States.

The changes took effect immediately.In a notice published on its website, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria state: “Those U.S. non-immigrant visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity. We wish to underscore, that as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity. You can view the latest information on visa reciprocity schedules for all countries at travel.state.gov.

“The Federal government responded to this by describing the new US directive as “misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect” that ought to govern bilateral engagements between friendly nations in a statement released on Wednesday through Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson.

The Federal government said it views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries.

“The attention of the Federal government of Nigeria has been drawn to the recent decision by the United States Government to revise its visa reciprocity schedule for Nigerian citizens, limiting the validity of non-immigrant visas including B1/B2, F and J categories to three months with single entry,” it stated.

“The Federal government views this development with concern and keen interest, particularly given the longstanding cordial relations and strong people-to-people ties between our two countries. The decision appears misaligned with the principles of reciprocity, equity, and mutual respect that should guide bilateral engagements between friendly nations.”

It also claimed that this restriction places a disproportionate burden on Nigerian travellers, students seeking academic opportunities, professionals engaging in legitimate business, families visiting loved ones, and individuals contributing to cultural and educational exchanges.

The government also said it understands that every country has the right to make its own immigration rules, but it hopes the U.S. will “reconsider this decision in the spirit of partnership, cooperation, and shared global responsibilities.”

It also added that diplomatic engagements are ongoing, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to pursuing a resolution that reflects fairness and upholds the values of mutual interest.