Sunday, April 13, 2025 - Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that Nigerians have no reason to be poor, citing the country's abundant natural and human resources.
Speaking at a dinner hosted in his honor by the Abia State
Government on Friday at the Government House in Umuahia, Obasanjo lamented that
mismanagement, not lack of resources, is to blame for the nation's economic
struggles.
“Nigerians have no business with poverty because God has
given us all that we need,” Obasanjo said. “If we are mismanaging what God has
given us, we do not have God to blame, we have ourselves to blame.”
He commended Abia State Governor Alex Otti for what he
described as a transformative approach to governance, applauding the widespread
approval of the administration's performance. Obasanjo noted that if Nigeria
had at least 18 governors who were performing well in office, the country would
witness substantial progress.
The former president reiterated his commitment to the
welfare of Nigerians and stressed the importance of effective leadership. “For
me, whether you don’t greet me or I greet you and you don’t answer, what is
important to me is that the people of this country are getting what they
deserve and what they deserve is good governance,” he stated.
Recalling his time in office, Obasanjo referred to an
instance involving former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, whom he had
advised to consult archival records about the country’s national railway plan.
He noted that Amaechi was unaware of the plan and said the former minister
eventually implemented parts of it, although with mixed results.
In his remarks, Governor Otti expressed appreciation for
Obasanjo’s support and highlighted the significance of vision and persistence
in leadership. He recounted his ten-year political journey, including previous
electoral setbacks in 2015 and 2019, and said his eventual victory was anchored
in divine conviction and determination. The governor added that his
administration has prioritised reforms in the education sector to expand access
to quality learning across the state.
Amaechi, who also spoke at the event, called for early
political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. He warned that the
value of good leadership often becomes evident only after a less competent
administration takes charge. Commending Obasanjo’s consistency in national
affairs, he described the former president as a leader whose legacy transcends
political change. He urged the people of Abia to continue supporting Governor
Otti to ensure sustained development and success in future elections.
Other dignitaries, including Chief Ginger Onwusibe, the lawmaker
representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, and Senator
Darlington Nwokocha, acting National Secretary of the Labour Party, praised
Obasanjo for his steadfast support and applauded Governor Otti for fostering
inclusive development across all local government areas in the state.
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