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The world stood still for Chief Olusegun Obasanjo last
weekend. Not only for clocking 80 years, but for opening the world’s
largest presidential library measuring 29.7 acres. Before then, in terms
of building size, the largest Library operated by the United States,
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is that of
Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum which stands at
134,695 square feet. It is followed closely by the John F. Kennedy
Presidential Library and Museum at 134,293 square feet. Presidential
libraries were
unknown until the 32nd President of the United States Franklin Roosevelt dedicated one on June 30, 1941. His grand-grand-daughter, Tracy witnessed the Saturday event, like Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, Prince Michael of Kent and at least 20 former and current Presidents across the world. The A-list team of very important Nigerians who were his guest as he opened the library have made many to contend that he is perhaps the most influential Nigerian alive.
Obasanjo is an enigmatic phenomenon. How else can anyone safely describe a man whose existence transforms communities, whose leadership qualities are epochal in the history of Nigeria and whose competences build bridges across nations, continents and races?
Obásanjó continues to be a mystery to his peers, a marvel to his admirers and a wonder to his country and continent. His achievements and aspirations are so profound that as you journey through this library, you are bound to be awe-struck by his personal sacrifices, convictions and roles in molding families, nations and Africa from a state of “to be” to what they have all become.
That he conceived this Presidential Library is an attestation of his foresight and determination to preserve the past, capture the present, inspire the future and project Nigeria’s culture and promote tourism. This, no doubt, is a living memorial to his military career, his leadership, and relics surrounding his constant quests for global peace and human security.
When he was made LEADERSHIP Man of the Year 2014, we stated that some may find it awkward because he was one of the architects of the Nation’s woes “yet his persistence in speaking up when other statesmen prefer to play the ostrich by burying their heads in the sand make it difficult to ignore him.
We salute this unusual statesman born in the rustic village of Ibogun-Olaogun on March 5. 1937, even when he claimed that the exact date is unknown, but definitely on Ifo market day. Obasanjo attended Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta. He was a peacekeeper in the UN Force in the Congo and later became commander of the only engineering unit of the Nigerian Army. After he was promoted to brigadier-general in 1972, he enrolled in an advanced training course at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. Two years later, he returned to Nigeria and was appointed federal commissioner for works and housing.
He later became a military head of state after Murtala Muhammed was assassinated in a putsch in 1976. He was a strong member of Commonwealth Eminent Persons’ Group that negotiated the release of Nelson Mandela and independence of many Southern African countries. Obasanjo nationalised British Petroleum’s interests in Nigeria, those of Barclays Bank and threatened to boycott British imports as part of effort to achieve this. Having retired from the armed forces as a general in 1979, Obasanjo started a company called Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Ltd., in Ota, Ogun State. He wrote many books and letters which contributed to the ousting of some sit-tight and bad leaders. His think-tank, the Africa Leadership Forum is Africa’s premier non-governmental organisation for training leaders in all spheres. He is a father of many children from many women. He is also a titled chief of many ethnic nationalities, but cherishes most his native Balogun of Owu-Abeokuta.
Credit: http://leadership.ng
unknown until the 32nd President of the United States Franklin Roosevelt dedicated one on June 30, 1941. His grand-grand-daughter, Tracy witnessed the Saturday event, like Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, Prince Michael of Kent and at least 20 former and current Presidents across the world. The A-list team of very important Nigerians who were his guest as he opened the library have made many to contend that he is perhaps the most influential Nigerian alive.
Obasanjo is an enigmatic phenomenon. How else can anyone safely describe a man whose existence transforms communities, whose leadership qualities are epochal in the history of Nigeria and whose competences build bridges across nations, continents and races?
Obásanjó continues to be a mystery to his peers, a marvel to his admirers and a wonder to his country and continent. His achievements and aspirations are so profound that as you journey through this library, you are bound to be awe-struck by his personal sacrifices, convictions and roles in molding families, nations and Africa from a state of “to be” to what they have all become.
That he conceived this Presidential Library is an attestation of his foresight and determination to preserve the past, capture the present, inspire the future and project Nigeria’s culture and promote tourism. This, no doubt, is a living memorial to his military career, his leadership, and relics surrounding his constant quests for global peace and human security.
When he was made LEADERSHIP Man of the Year 2014, we stated that some may find it awkward because he was one of the architects of the Nation’s woes “yet his persistence in speaking up when other statesmen prefer to play the ostrich by burying their heads in the sand make it difficult to ignore him.
We salute this unusual statesman born in the rustic village of Ibogun-Olaogun on March 5. 1937, even when he claimed that the exact date is unknown, but definitely on Ifo market day. Obasanjo attended Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta. He was a peacekeeper in the UN Force in the Congo and later became commander of the only engineering unit of the Nigerian Army. After he was promoted to brigadier-general in 1972, he enrolled in an advanced training course at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London. Two years later, he returned to Nigeria and was appointed federal commissioner for works and housing.
He later became a military head of state after Murtala Muhammed was assassinated in a putsch in 1976. He was a strong member of Commonwealth Eminent Persons’ Group that negotiated the release of Nelson Mandela and independence of many Southern African countries. Obasanjo nationalised British Petroleum’s interests in Nigeria, those of Barclays Bank and threatened to boycott British imports as part of effort to achieve this. Having retired from the armed forces as a general in 1979, Obasanjo started a company called Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Ltd., in Ota, Ogun State. He wrote many books and letters which contributed to the ousting of some sit-tight and bad leaders. His think-tank, the Africa Leadership Forum is Africa’s premier non-governmental organisation for training leaders in all spheres. He is a father of many children from many women. He is also a titled chief of many ethnic nationalities, but cherishes most his native Balogun of Owu-Abeokuta.
Credit: http://leadership.ng
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