Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said Nigeria is where it is today because of actions and inaction of leaders and followers.
During an interview on Arise TV on Monday, Obasanjo described himself as an incurable optimist who believes that Nigeria will get to “where God wants us to be”.
The ex-president said the country is going through a tough time but stated that the people should never lose hope about the prospect of the country despite the current economic hardship.
“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.”
