Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, decried Nigeria’s inability to live up to expectations since it got independence about 63 years ago, stressing that the country had not only disappointed itself but also Africa and the world.

Obasanjo disclosed this while delivering the keynote address at the public presentation of the book titled ‘Reclaiming the Jewel of Africa,’ written by former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, who also served as Minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga.

The book was unveiled by President Bola Tinubu through his Special Adviser on Monetary Policy, Olawale Edun. The event, which was held in Abuja, witnessed a large turnout of past and current senior government officials, as former President Goodluck Jonathan and Obasanjo spoke virtually.

In his address at the programme, Obasanjo said, “Over the last 63 years, we have not lived up to expectations. We have disappointed ourselves; we have disappointed Africa; we have disappointed the black race; and we have disappointed the world.”

He, however, stated that “what Segun (Aganga) has tried to identify, itemise and recommend in his book is the way forward.

“But the beginning of charting a new course for ourselves is to admit our failure because we have not always put the round peg in the round hole.

“We are carried along by ego and emotion of self, selfishness and self-centeredness, ethnic and religious jingoism, with total lack of understanding of the world we live in and gross misunderstanding of what development entails and how to move fast and continuously on the trajectory of development.”



The former President further identified two of the major issues that were interrelated in terms of factors for all-round development.

“These are peace and security, which we cannot achieve without justice, equity and inclusive society. And telling ourselves the truth, we have not done well on these scores in the recent past—in the last decade and a half.

“I will also point at the issue of education, where over 20 million children that should be in school are not in school. We do not need an oracle to tell us the consequences of that for tomorrow,” Obasanjo stated.

He said the skill acquisition, empowerment and employment of youth would seem to be ignored or not appreciated.

“We do not need to look far for the remote causes of banditry, Boko Haram, kidnapping and other organised crimes

“We are living dangerously on a keg of gunpowder, driving more people into poverty through good policies poorly and thoughtlessly implemented or bad policy and no policy at all,” he stated.

comradewanle:
You are part of Nigeria problem so word no dey your mouth.

“But the beginning of charting a new course for ourselves is to admit our failure because we have not always put the round peg in the round hole.We are carried along by ego and emotion of self, selfishness and self-centeredness, ethnic and religious jingoism.

Total lack of understanding of the world we live in and gross misunderstanding of what development entails and how to move fast and continuously on the trajectory of development.”

Battlefield2:
To be very honest, Baba Iyabo is part of the problem!

talented321:
Obj u are the number one problem in this country, since they boot out woman rapper goodluck and co''' u now act strange.
I remember u have your own result during the president election still yet u failed' u that used power to install governor in my dear state'' u now they complain. Oga go and relax

inoki247:
Lol shey you count yourself among the disappointment....


After leaving Power they turn to Motivational speaker....


Ordinary 247 electricity, Ibadan Express way, Alot of Federal road you couldn't fix and you're out dere preaching jargons....

Zxcvbnmghtr:


Charity begins at home. Have you been to Ogun State before?

Debbie4ma:
We are all complaining about our corrupt leaders meanwhile we also have corrupt mindset.

talented321:
Obj u are the number one problem in this country, since they boot out your woman rapper goodluck and co''' u now act strange.
I remember u have your own result during the president election still yet u failed' u that used power to install governor in my dear state'' u now they complain. Oga go and relax