Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has outlined some of the major accomplishments of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in office, especially as a two-term president from 1999.
Mr. Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, who was part of dignitaries who converged in Abeokuta, Ogun State, yesterday, March 5, 2025 to celebrate Chief Obasanjo’s 88th birthday, said in an X (former Twitter) post that the one-time military Head of State’s “immense contributions to our nation’s growth remain immeasurable and undiminished.”
Insisting that Obasanjo remains a deeply respected and admired Nigerian leader, Mr. Obi, who is reputed for his fidelity to statistics, said that at the time Chief Obasanjo “became President in 1999, Nigeria’s GDP was about $59Billion with a per capita of around $490, our foreign debt stock was about $32Billion and when he left office in 2007, our GDP was $278B, GDP per capita was $1800, and foreign debt reduced to $3.2B with a significant increase in our foreign reserves.”
Describing the former President as a “revered elder statesman and father figure,” Obi stressed that “his true patriotism and bold sacrifices for a better Nigeria and Africa remain remarkable,” pointing out further that his “commitment to the unity of our nation has remained exceptional.”
He prayed that God would grant the Ogun state born ex-Army General “more healthy, fruitful, and happy years ahead, and continue to bless him always.”
Other dignitaries who were at the programme of activities to celebrate Chief Obasanjo were the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara and former Governors Sam Egwu, Ibikunle Amosun, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Sule Lamido.
A highlight of the programme was the launch of two books by Chief Obasanjo – Lest We Forget: Slavery, Slave Trade, Emancipation, and Reparation, and Nigeria: Past and the Future.
