Obasanjo to Nigerians: We’re going through hardship, but don’t lose hope

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo says Nigerians should never lose hope about the prospect of the country despite the current economic hardship.

During an interview on Arise TV on Monday, Obasanjo said the country said he is an incurable optimist, who believes that Nigeria will get to “where God wants us to be”.

“We wish all Nigerians a happy and prosperous new year, and I will say to Nigerians, we’re going through hardship, but they should never lose hope,” the former president said.

“I’m an incurable optimist about Nigeria, and we have a great country.

“Where we are is not where God wants us to be, and I believe that sooner than later we will get to where God wants us to be.

“God wants Nigeria to be a land flowing with milk and honey, not a desert, a basket case, or a failed country.

“That we’re where we are is either by inadvertent or advertent actions of our leaders and followers to some extent, but God is God of great things for Nigeria. I believe God has great things for Nigeria in the immediate future.”

The former president noted that true leadership extends beyond the corridors of power, adding that it is the responsibility of political officeholders to use experiences and connections gained in office to advance humanity.

“Whether you spend two years or 10 years in office, you acquire certain experiences and build relationships that can be tapped into for the good of the world,” he said.

Obasanjo, reflecting on global climate, decried a “deficit of leadership” across all sectors, particularly in politics, and urged current and former leaders to continue serving their countries and the world after leaving office.

“At the political level, it matters most because politics drives all other things, but at all levels, and I’m not also talking about incumbent leaders,” he said.

“Incumbent leaders matter more because they have the power and all that goes with the power, but those that also have had the opportunity and God has endowed, they should realise that the world we are living in, that we call a village, if anybody fails to play his part and his role in that village, that village will soon be spoiled, and that must be clear to all of us.”

‘TRUMP MUST NOT IGNORE AFRICA’

Obasanjo said US President-elect Donald Trump must accord Africans due respect and dignity as he is about to assume leadership of the White House.

In 2018, Trump was alleged to have said African countries, alongside Haiti and El Salvador, constituted ‘shitholes’ where “undesirable migrants” were coming into the US.

Trump has since denied describing any race as coming from “shithole countries,” adding that he has high regard for Nigerians.

Obasanjo said it is time to prove to Trump that what he called a “shithole” is not it, noting that America has an enlightened interest in Africa.

“Whether anybody likes it or not, the American people have decided that Trump will be their leader, and Trump, being the American people’s leader, will lead America for the next four years and will be the leader of the world,” he said.

“America is the greatest country in the world for now. It may change in a few years.

“Maybe China will take over and become the largest economy or surpass America in terms of technology or military power, but for today America is that country, and we cannot say we have nothing to do with Trump.

“We have to find a way of letting Trump know that what he calls a ‘shithole’ is not it, and we have to make him understand that.

“I believe that there will be policymakers around him that we can reach and talk to.

“America has an enlightened interest in Africa, and we must tell him, ‘This is your interest, and don’t ignore it. We’re ready to work with you; give us the respect and dignity that is due to us, respect our citizens who are in your country, and let us work together for a peaceful world.

“A world that is secured, stable, and where prosperity is shared, and security will be common for everybody’. I believe Trump will understand that.”