By: Barth Ozah
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has dismissed rumours about his death, declaring that at 89 years he remains strong and healthy and has no plans of dying anytime soon.
Obasanjo made the statement on Wednesday in Abeokuta while delivering a colloquium titled “Burden and Blessing of Leadership: Reflections from Global Africa to the World,” organised as part of activities marking his 89th birthday.
He condemned those circulating a fake letter suggesting he had written about his own death, describing it as the handiwork of mischief makers.
According to the former president, those spreading the false report were only wasting their time, stressing that God still has more assignments for him on earth.
“They publish and circulate a fake paper credited to me that I am writing, giving notice of my death. That is their wish and surely not God’s wish for me. God has assured me that He has more for me to do on earth. I dey kampe as usual,” he said.
Speaking of leadership in Africa, Obasanjo lamented that the continent’s development has been hindered by decades of poor leadership.
He said Africa is richly endowed with natural and human resources but continues to struggle with poverty, conflict, disease and insecurity due to the failure of leaders to govern selflessly and build strong institutions.
According to him, true leadership requires courage, accountability, justice and a commitment to the common good.
Obasanjo also reflected on the burdens of leadership, recalling difficult decisions during the Nigerian Civil War and his time as Nigeria’s President from 1999 to 2007.
He noted that leadership often comes with loneliness, moral responsibility and personal sacrifice, citing his imprisonment under the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha..
Despite the challenges, the former president described leadership as a blessing when it is used to make positive change, highlighting achievements such as Nigeria’s Paris Club debt relief and the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to fight corruption.
He urged young Africans to take democracy seriously and prepare themselves for responsible leadership, warning that a continent that fails its youth risks planting seeds of instability for future generations.(PGS News)
