The Journey, True Life Story Of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo serves as an elliptical overview of the life and story of Chief Olusegun Aremu Okikiola Obasanjo. – Aremu, Omo Ashabi : Baba Of Africa.
Date Of Birth: 5th March, 1937
Age: 87 Years Old
Place Of Birth: Ibogun-Olaogun, a farm Settlement in Owu-Egba, near Abeokuta, Nigeria
Profession: Politician, Writer, Entrepreneur
Religion: Christianity
Position: Elder Statesman, Former Head Of State And Former President.
Family: Spouses/Ex-: Deceased): Esther Oluremi (Ex-Wife), Lynda (Ex-Wife), Mojisola Adekunle (Deceased), Stella Abebe (Deceased)
Father: Amos Adigun Obasanjo Bankole
Mother: Ashabi
Overview
Chief Aremu Olusegun Okikiola Obasanjo was the first Nigerian to both serve the country as a Military Head of State and also, a democratically elected civilian President of the country.
He is a descendant of the Owu Yoruba Kingdom and a chieftain of the Ekerin Balogun of the Egba clan and that of the Balogun of the Owu Lineage.
Chief Aremu Olusegun Okikiola Obasanjo a former Nigerian President who ruled the country for eight years (1999 – 2007) under the People Democratic Party.
His first reign as a Military Head lasted for twenty-eight (28) months between February 1979 and October 1979.
Photo Credit – Nigerian Army Headquarters
Among others, Obasanjo remains the first African Military ruler to have over power to democratic government in 1979.
Between 1985 and 1999, Nigeria experienced brutal and oppressive regimes of the Military which also, during this military rule, led to the imprisonment and confinement of Obasanjo in 1995 along Musa Yar’adua and Oladipupo Diya.
Subsequently, Obasanjo’s role in bringing back democracy into the country cannot be jettisoned or overlooked.
He played a pivotal role in ensuring that the country enjoyed the proceeds of good governance and democracy.
In 1999, Obasanjo was elected the democratic President under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the Fourth Republic.
He also was the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) between July 2004 and January 2006.
He was inducted as a special envoy of Africa by the United Nations which has seen him observe during-election situations across the continent of Africa, standing in as a representative of the African Union and ECOWAS.
During Obasanjo’s reign as the President, he focused on economic reforms, debt relief, and infrastructure development in Nigeria.
He also played a key role in resolving regional conflicts in West Africa. The Journey, True Life Story Of Olusegun Obasanjo
Childhood
Olusegun Obasanjo was born on March 5, 1937, in Ogun State and was brought up in Abeokuta in southwest Nigeria. The meaning of his first name is “The Lord is victorious”.
He attended the ‘Baptist Boys’ High School’ in Abeokuta, Ogun state and thereafter worked as a teacher for some time.
However, he could not afford college expenses, so he enrolled in the Nigerian Army and travelled to Aldershot, England, to attend six-month training of the ‘service commission’ held at the ‘Mons Officer Cadet School’.
He became an officer in the Nigerian Army after completing the training. Eventually, he went to India where he was trained at the ‘Indian Army School of Engineering’ and the ‘Defence Service Staff College, Wellington.’
Roles In Democratisation Of Nigeria
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was very instrumental in the democratisation process of Nigeria.
He oversaw the transition from Military rule to Civilian Rule in 1999 and enhanced and projected democratic principles during his time in the corridor of power.
Roles in African Politics
Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo is a force to reckon with in African Politics and this has earned the popular nickname “Baba of Africa.”
He is well known for his prominent role and massive contribution towards the growth and expansion of the African Union and his vital and decisive participation in several peacekeeping initiatives in Africa.
Roles In Nigeria’s Foreign Policy
Olusegun Obasanjo worked vigorously and decisively to strengthen Nigeria’s relationship with the world.
During his presidency, he worked to foster bonds with African countries and also globally by fostering economic development and territorial integrity.
The Journey, True Life Story Of Olusegun Obasanjo
Career
Olusegun Obasanjo served at ‘1 Area Command’ in Kaduna but became the commander of ‘2 Area Command in July 1967 after he was promoted as the Chief Engineer.
And, also served as commander of ‘3 Marine Commando Division’ of the army and conquered Owerri which adversely brought an end to the thirty-month (1967 to 1970) Biafran civil war which claimed hundreds of lives.
On 29th July 1975, Obasanjo supported the military coup spearheaded by Brigadier General Murtala Ramat Muhammed but did not take part in it.
Murtala ousted the Military head of State Yakubu Gowon and eventually named Obasanjo as his deputy.
On 13th February 1976, Colonel Dimka plotted a coup to kill Murtala, Obasanjo and some other senior army Officers; he succeeded in killing Murtala but Obasanjo and General Theophilus Danjuma escaped.
Subsequently, Obasanjo became the leader while Theophilus Danjuma, chief of army staff.
Obasanjo installed a line of command and defaulted the security arrangement in Lagos.
He was inducted as the head of state by the ‘Supreme Military Court on 13th February 1976. He reigned till October 1st, 1979.
Though, he targeted being made the civilian president in 1979 along with his re-strategic programmes to effectuate the public service sector but was not successful.
In 1979, during the second republic, He associated with the United States and modelled the 1979 Republican Constitution after America’s Constitution which prepared the nation for a democratic setting.
The then-new Democratic experience would be headed by the President and two House Chambers (Senates and Representatives) through general elections.
The Journey, True Life Story Of Olusegun Obasanjo
However, Obasanjo did not include his name among those contesting for the presidency in 1979, instead, he stepped down and handed power over to the newly elected President, Shehu Shagari.
He became the first military head of state to do so in Nigeria.
Olusegun Obasanjo encountered various challenges and atrocities during the military rule of General Sani Abacha, between 1993 and 1998.
In 1995, He was remanded in prison where he went through a ‘spiritual re-birth.’
Photo Credit – Nigerian Vanguard
He was eventually released from prison on 8th June 1998 after the death of the then-military ruler.
He was nominated to be a presidential election flag-bearer under the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) during the 1999 election and won.
After winning the election by 62.6% votes cast, he became constitution-wise, the elected president of Nigeria.
He took the reign of the leadership of the country on 29th May 1999 which was eventually marked as “Democracy Day.”
During his first term, he travelled far and wide to muster a few Western supports, including from the United States and the United Kingdom.
With the already-made name Nigeria had in restoring and keeping peace in African countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone, he earned global respect and honour.
He implemented various relief policies to minimise the effects of poverty and corruption by aiming to reform the police and armed forces while establishing democratic principles.
His administration encountered various challenges, but one of those was the ethnic and religious conflict which became very rampant.
He had a feud with some public office holders like the President of the ‘Senate’ and the Speaker of the ‘National Assembly and had to deal with stern criticism from both houses.
Though the 2003 presidential election was marred with various degrees of turmoil arising from religious and racial violence, Obasanjo could still claim victory after defeating his opponent, General Muhammadu Buhari who was also a former military head of state.
In November 2003, He faced backlash following his shocking decision to afford the ousted Liberian President, Charles Taylor, a refuge.
On 12 June 2006, an ‘Agreement’ was signed between Obasanjo and the President of Cameroon, Paul Biya, in a bid to resolve the dispute of the Bakassi Peninsula Border.
He withdrew the Nigerian Army from the zone against the resolution passed by the Nigerian Senate that such a move was unconstitutional.
Obasanjo’s regime experienced an economic boom, plus a high rate of GDP, higher oil prices and an increase in foreign reserves.
He successfully was granted debt relief from London and Paris which could have amounted to about $ 18 billion.
He also succeeded in reshuffling his cabinet members several times during his two terms for effective and accountable governance.
After being censured for his ploy to strengthen his tenure beyond two terms, he said he was not looking at that.
He was flayed for proposing an amendment to the constitution to accommodate his third four-year term as president.
Following public opinion and intervention from various high-ranked politicians in the country, the National Assembly disapproved of the Bill.
After leaving the presidency, Obasanjo served as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and stepped down from the post in April 2012.
He disengaged himself from partisan politics (PDP) on 16th February 2015 and asked his ward leader to destroy his membership card.
He is now one of the members of ‘Africa Progress Panel.’ A panel constituting ten prominent individuals who encourage rapid and viable progress and development of Africa at the apex level.
He is a member of the non-profit organization ‘Club de Madrid’ among other members who happen to be presidents, Prime Ministers and political leaders of various countries across the world.
The body supports and encourages democracy and democratic reform across the world.
The Journey, True Life Story Of Olusegun Obasanjo
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Olusegun-Obasanjo
Personal Life & Achievement
Esther Oluremi was Obasanjo’s first wife and the ‘First Lady of Nigeria’ between 13th February 1976 and 1st October 1979.
She had children with Obasanjo and one of them is Dr. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello who became a Senator representing Ogun state and former Minister of State for Health.
His second wife was Lynda who was murdered by armed men in 1987 but was left with a retired Major from the Nigerian Army.
While his third wife, Stella Abebe, eventually became the First Lady of Nigeria under democratic rule between 29th May 1999 and 23rd October 2005. She later died in Spain due to surgery complications on the 23rd of October, 2005.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has a son who works with Microsoft’ as a Principal Programme Manager’.
He has his children settled in Nigeria, the United States, the United Kingdom and all over the globe.
Awards And Recognition
Chief Obasanjo has won multiple awards.
He is a Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (GCFR). He has got recognitions locally and internationally respectively.
Below Are His Notable Awards
- Prize for Freedom, Liberal International, 1997.
- National Achievement Award, Africa America Institute (AAI), 1999.
- Agricola Medal, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, December 2003.
- Lifetime Achievement Award, African Telecom Hall of Fame Award, 2010.
- Global Leadership Award, United Nations, 2012.
- Exemplary Ambassador Award, Heartlink, 2015.
- Leadership in Africa Award, African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), 2017.
- Father of the Nation, National Youth Council of Nigeria, 2019.
Some Obasanjo’s Quotes
- “My gut feelings and my faith tell me that until God shuts a door, no human can shut it.”
- “Corruption, the greatest single bane of our society today.”
- “Fighting corruption is not a one-night affair.”
- “There is no part of the world where corruption is eliminated.”
- “Inability to focus and concentrate is the greatest enemy of goals and achievement.”
- “…To think that once one is in a management position, there is no further need for training through formal and informal interaction and exposure is, I believe, the height of folly.”
- “Whatever is morally wrong cannot be politically right. Morality and ethics must not be divorced from politics.”
- “Democracy should be nurtured and sustained in Nigeria and our part of the world.”
- “Nigerians must choose leaders who know what development means and what it takes to achieve that. Such leaders are the ones who will step on the toes of friends and well-wishers that might resist their development agenda for selfish or other reasons.” The Journey, True Life Story Of Olusegun Obasanjo
Lessons From The Life Of Obasanjo’s Entrepreneurial Life
Stay focused on your business, don’t ever allow criticism to pull you down.
Obasanjo has always been the most sought-after politician in the Southern Region of Nigeria, and at the same point, been one of the most criticised leaders in Nigeria.
Presently, due to his relentless drive for survival, he has been regarded as the ‘Baba of Africa.’
Learning from him teaches us that we should not let censure deter or impede our focus. Work hard and don’t be a mediocrity.
Obasanjo received a lot of credit when he was in the Nigerian army as a result of his hard work. He earned himself a good reputation.
In 1999, he was massively voted for, by the Northerners because he fulfilled his vow to hand over the reign to a civilian ruler.
Fulfilling his pledge earned him high esteem before the Northerners. As an Entrepreneur, never undermine integrity because it is a currency worth more than money.
Facts About Olusegun Obasanjo
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is a gifted writer and has written many books on various topics, such as politics, leadership, and development.
Obasanjo is well-known for his love of farming and agriculture and has various farms in Nigeria.
Obasanjo is multi-lingual; he can speak Yoruba, English, French and various others which he stammers on.
He is renowned for his diplomatic skill and has played impeccable and pivotal roles in meddling between nations at discords. He is a sports lover who, at best, enjoys playing golf.
The Journey, True Life Story Of Olusegun Obasanjo