By Abbas Jimoh


Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged the old generation of Nigerians, especially politicians to give way for the younger breeds in the building of a prosperous Nigeria.

He said this at the 2022 annual lecture of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF).

The programme, which held on Monday, had as its theme, “Beyond Boko Haram: Addressing Insurgency, Banditry and Kidnapping across Nigeria”.

Former Head of State, Murtala Muhammed, was killed, aged 37, along with his aide-de-camp, Lieut. Akintunde Akinsehinwa, on February 13, 1976, in a failed coup.

Obasanjo said rather than compete, the older generation should collaborate with the younger ones and provide them with the requisite knowledge and experience to transform the country for the better.

Obasanjo was responding to a comment in the keynote address by Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, who said he was in primary school when the late Murtala and Obasanjo directed the affairs of the country.

“We need to have an intergenerational collaboration. Fayemi said he was in primary school when Murtala-Obasanjo were there. So, if people of Murtala-Obasanjo are competing with you, as governor then something is wrong.

“Murtala-Obasanjo group should be stepping aside. Whatever experience and knowledge you have, we should be able to give it to you and should be able to give it to those coming after you, so that whatever you have you are passing it down to those of you who are coming behind not to start competing with you but make you have access to what would make you Nigeria better you find it,” Obasanjo said.

On her part, the Chief Executive Officer of the foundation and daughter of the late military Head of State, Dr. Aisha Muhammed Oyewole, pledged the commitment of the organisation to improving the socio-economic development of Africa in line with the ideals of her late father.

She said, “We have made notable impacts in the lives of people, especially the marginalized, disadvantaged, and vulnerable in addition to contributing to promoting good governance and empowerment.”

Delivering the keynote, Fayemi said an all-encompassing social compact had become an urgent imperative in Nigeria’s quest to look beyond Boko Haram towards an all-around national rebirth.

“Looking beyond Boko Haram, the clarion call to us as Nigerians is clear: In the face of a broken socio-economic fabric that has generated so much anguish, despair, and distrust among us, we must step back and summon that Nigerian genius that is innate in us in order to reimagine our country and reinvent our vision of oneness.

“To do this, it is evident to me that the time has come, and it cannot be postponed, for a new compact to be forged between state and society whose centerpiece must be an inclusive and expansive project of human security in our land.

“Clearly, the leadership in the most affected state in the North East has been up to the task in terms of its response to forging a new compact between state and society. Yet, in spite of the best efforts of my brother, Governor Babagana Zulum and his government following in the footsteps of former Governor Kashim Shettima, it’s clear that what is required is a comprehensive national response, not an isolated state strategy,” Fayemi said.

Olunmercy56:
Thanks sir. Please speak up.

Goldbw122:

When he was old did he live the position for the you get ones.. this man is just an entertainment to the media... They won't dear let any young person get close to that position.. because they know what they are all benenfiting from the position.. greedy set of people..

Validated:
OBJ has asked Tinubu to quit. Next is to speak to CIA on Tinubu's ambition.

PressMyButton:
Obj is a greedy old man who believes no other Yoruba man is capable of attaining the highest office than himself. It was same greed that pushed him in working against the ambitions of Awolowo, MKO and in recent past, almost crippled the economy of Lagos save for the ingenuity of Tinubu who had to wave his magic wand to rescue Lagos. He believed he was better than everyone else until Buhari equalled his record as the only man who rose to become the head of state and twice as elected President.
It was for his narcissistic tendencies that Prof. Soyinka had a verbal running battle with him.
Did he ever think about the youths while he was President and ever scheming behind the scenes to perpetrate his third term agenda.
I have come to agree with Ashiwaju Tinubu who has come out to say to whoever cares to listen that no intimidation can stop his ambition.

saheedbadmus:
Why didn't u leave the space for younger ones during ur time..u all are the same..birds of identical plumage... u guyz only care abt ur pockets may God av mercy on we the youths .. all this babas been dey rule us since them dey young o and dem still no one leave power..

Mooh247:



Sakamaje....

Tafa Balewa was 56 when Kaduna Nzeogwu Obasanjo's friend a 29 years old Military youth and his killer squad killed the then Old men to take over Nigeria

The excuse youth of Obasanjo 27, Gowon 30, Murtala 29, Babangida 22, Abacha 22, Abdulsalam 22, Ojuckwu 31 ,generation gave was that they were better than Awolowo 59, Tafa Balewa 56, Azikwe 61, Akintola 58, Sarduna. 60,

The youth of Obasanjo's era brought, Destruction of Agricultural based florishing economy, they destroyed education, caused civil war, devalued Naira by 1000% , increased Poverty , unemployment and mortality rate, stole blindly, borrowed and threw us in debt without any infrastructure, destroyed power sector and sold it, privatised every of Nigerian asset

Saraki was 39 when he became Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu 39, Yahaya Bello was 40,
Dino melaye was 37 when he joined National Assembly, Anyim Pius Anyim 39, Ekweremadu 41, Ahmed Lawan 41... What did they all achieve as a youth





.

Mooh247:



Sakamaje....

Tafa Balewa was 56 when Kaduna Nzeogwu Obasanjo's friend a 29 years old Military youth and his killer squad killed the then Old men to take over Nigeria

The excuse youth of Obasanjo 27, Gowon 30, Murtala 29, Babangida 22, Abacha 22, Abdulsalam 22, Ojuckwu 31 ,generation gave was that they were better than Awolowo 59, Tafa Balewa 56, Azikwe 61, Akintola 58, Sarduna. 60,

The youth of Obasanjo's era brought, Destruction of Agricultural based florishing economy, they destroyed education, caused civil war, devalued Naira by 1000% , increased Poverty , unemployment and mortality rate, stole blindly, borrowed and threw us in debt without any infrastructure, destroyed power sector and sold it, privatised every of Nigerian asset

Saraki was 39 when he became Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu 39, Yahaya Bello was 40,
Dino melaye was 37 when he joined National Assembly, Anyim Pius Anyim 39, Ekweremadu 41, Ahmed Lawan 41... What did they all achieve as a youth





.