Obasanjo Harps On Correcting Past Wrongs
The Guardian, Sunday, October 1, 2000 PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo this morning emphasized the imperative of correcting the wrongs of the past, if the country is to move forward. "Because all these wrongs are within our power and ability to correct, all we need to do is to resolve to put things right," he stressed. "We will of course need God's guidance and support, but, as is known and believed in all faiths the Almighty will only help us to change if we ourselves demonstrate the will to do so." He saw a bright light in the country's present predicament, insisting that "we can right the wrongs because we still have the country and the freedom to take our decisions. Many other peoples in this world have to start by, first of all, finding a country, and then fighting for freedom to self-determination." On the nations's shared experiences, the president spoke of the sweetness of attaining self-government, independence and "attaining the full nationhood of republicanism". He added: "We endured the crisis leading to the civil war, and suffered together the pain of fighting our brothers, friends, colleagues, teachers or classmates." According to Obasanjo, "we rejoiced as one at the end of that war and we celebrated the re-establishment of kinship ties in the context of a country that we all believed was heading for greatness. We went through all these experiences together, and more. Those who were present taught those who were absent or unborn. In between, we witnessed together real life cycles of flood and drought, boom and burst, ease and anxiety, pleasure and pain, happiness and grief, excitement and frustration. But we never shared despondency. All those who in the dark days of their lives lost hope for Nigeria only lived to eat their words and rue it!" The president harped on the potentials that will move the country to the path of greatness. "I believe that we can right the wrongs of Nigeria because we have our people. The men, the women and the children, these are our greatest treasure," he said, "The people are not only an unsurpassed asset, it is also our people who give us intangible blessings ñ our history as well as our rich cultures and traditions, and our value systems."
Obasanjo Extols Nigerian Virtues
Guardian, Sunday, October 1, 2000 By Adeleke Adeseri, PRESIDENT Olusegun Obasanjo also in his broadcast to the nation this morning painted the portrait of the real Nigerians whom he said are not only great and kind, but warm, beautiful, friendly, hospitable and respectful. "I sincerely believe in the intrinsically good nature of the Nigerian character. Of course, like all societies we have our share of deviants and criminals,... but behind all that there is a great Nigerian, a kind and warm Nigerian. Our people are diverse, beautiful, warm, friendly and hospitable," he said. According to him, Nigerians are respectful without possessing a complex, highly assertive at whatever level of authority but generous and helpful if correctly approached. "Our people love beautiful things," he said, adding that "we must rank among the most well dressed people in the world. Not only do our people like beautiful things, they admire success, they celebrate it heartily in themselves and rejoice for others in boisterous participation." He also spoke about Nigerians love for education, saying "Our people are in love with education. That is why our great investment in education succeeded in creating such a vibrant society where social gaps have been greatly closed. Their love for education goes hand in hand with the love for upward mobility even though some of the desperate means are not laudable." Among the other virtues of the Nigerian, the president mentioned are generousity and their belief in freedom. He said: "The Nigerian is indeed of generous spirit. We care for our people, and we share what we have with friends, and relatives. A lot of the time, foreigners, particularly from the so-called developed countries, admire the classical African way of caring for our kinsfolk: parents, children and all relatives, to whatever extent we can," he noted. Still on the people's hospitality, he said: "It is this generousity of spirit that enabled us, over the ages, to build a very fluid society where anyone can rise to the top in wealth or power regardless of pedigree or early status in life." To drive home his point on the people's belief in freedom, President Obasanjo said it is the only reason why Nigerians are never totally subdued even when dictators come, oppress, maim and kill.
Obasanjo Tells Ohaneze, Afenifere And Arewa
The Guardian, Sunday, October 1, 2000 SEEKING to strengthen the nation, President Olusegun Obasanjo this morning counselled dialogue among the various groups in the country. In particular, he appealed to leaders of Ohaneze, Afenifere and Arewa groups "to genuinely dialogue with each other rather than talk at and against ñ one another from entrenched positions and postures." He spoke in a national broadcast to mark the 40th anniversary of the country's independence. His counsel came against the backdrop of discordant notes being sounded by the groups, each of which is representing various ethnic groupings in the country. It was his first official reaction to the existence and utterances of the groups. "There is absolutely no virtue in confrontation," he emphasized. "Each of these groups, in spite of its apparent large following in the context of Nigeria, will be diminished as an independent nation by itself. We all have a stake in Enterprise ñ Nigeria." Perhaps to make his government more inclusive, the president announced that honourary presidential advisory councils are to be set up. The decision, according to the president, is "part of our efforts to cast our net wide in seeking advice from relevant quarters." He explained that each council would consist of "not more than seven members" and the councils would advise on subjects ranging from foreign relations, investment and youth development. "Such advice can only enhance the quality of decisions, policy formulation and execution on these issues," he stressed. Obasanjo is convinced that national survival in the coming years could not be achieved through weakness or through lack of self-esteem. "We owe it as a duty to ourselves, to our children and to our children's children to do everything possible to guarantee for Nigeria the best that our human and material resources entitle us to." Noting that the struggle has just begun and that the coming years are fraught with challenges, he promised to "solemnly commit myself to do everything necessary, even at the risk of offending a few interest groups, to make Nigeria a country which in the future we can all be proud of." The president thanked leaders in both public and private sectors as well as teachers, students, doctors, nurses and all workers for their contributions to national development. "The going may be hard, but we are determined and by the grace of God success lies ahead." Obasanjo promised that those who needed compassion would find it and that it was in accordance with the resolve "that I have granted amnesty to some of our convicts whose release will pose no danger to society," adding that "those who can be defensively pardoned will receive sympathetic consideration."