Nigerians should celebrate themselves, says Obasanjo

Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta

Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has enjoined Nigerians to always celebrate the successes and achievements of their countrymen and women, without waiting on outsiders to discover and celebrate them.

He lamented the fact that Nigerians sometimes demonstrate a carefree attitude by not seeing anything good in themselves, until outsiders discover such and take the glory away.

Obasanjo stated this while speaking at a send forth lunch organised by his family in honour of His Lordship, Most Reverend Josiah Idowu-Fearon, who has been appointed as the Secretary General of the World Anglican Communion.

The event was held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) with dignitaries from all walks of life from across the country present, including the state deputy governor of Ogun, Princess Yetunde Onanuga.

“One of the things we don’t often do well in Nigeria is that we don’t often see good in ourselves; and one of the things that God does fairly well for us is that He makes others to see the good in us.

“I believe that is what has happened in the life of the man whom we are celebrating and honouring today. I believe that Bishop Idowu-Fearon, who is going as the Secretary General for the Global Anglican Communion falls into this category,” he said.

Obasanjo, who boasted that Nigeria and Nigerians are enviable treasures globally, noted that, citizens should continue to use their God endowed gift to honour and glorify the continent, Africa and Nigeria in particular.

The former President also admonished the new Secretary General of the World Anglican Communion, Idowu-Fearon to put in his best in the service of the Global Anglican Communion to the point that there would be testimonials that previous occupiers of the position have never performed as much as him, a Nigerian.

In his remark, the new Secretary-General of the World Anglican Communion, Idowu-Fearon described former President as a father to all, a complete detribalized and non-sectional Nigerian, whose efforts at uniting the country is with passion.

Fearon, who explained that his relationship with the former Nigerian leader dates back to the early 70’s, posited that, “Obasanjo is a Nigerian that takes everyone together irrespective of religion, tribe or any other bias consideration”.

Eminent personalities who graced the event include the Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Michael Aremu Adedotun Gbadebo; the Onibara of Ibara, Oba Timothy Omolade; Archbishop of Abuja Diocese of the Catholic Church, Cardinal John Onaiyekan; All Progressives Congress, presidential aspirant and publisher of the Leadership newspaper titles, Josiah Nda-Isaiah, Tunde Ogbeha among others.