•••SAYS NIGERIA HAS NOT LIVED UP TO ITS EXPECTATIONS FROM THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned Nigerians against over-stretching the limit of the elasticity of the patience of God if any.
Obasanjo said that it is his hope that God patience does not have such a limit of elasticity.
Obasanjo said that Nigeria and Nigerians have done so many stupid things and got away with them because God loves the country so much.
Obasanjo spoke at the official launch of a book, The Letterman, written by the Editor in Chief of Premium Times, Mr Musikilu Mojeed, in Abuja, on Thursday.
He said that if there were to be anything like the limit of the elasticity of
God’s patience, He cannot be blamed if anything goes wrong because it is not God’s fault that Nigeria is not doing the right thing.
The former President said that Nigeria has not lived up to its expectations from the international community.
He stressed that Nigeria is not playing its expected role even in the West African subregion as shown by the fact that Qatar and not Nigeria played a role to bring various elements together when Idris Derby, former President of Chad was killed.
“I believe that God is a Nigerian
God loves us so much. We have done many stupid things that we get away with.
“I hope that God’s patience does not have a limit of elasticity. If he says enough, nothing will save the situation.
God has given us all that we need to have. That we are not doing what we need to do is not God’s fault. We should blame ourselves.” He said
The former President commended Mr Mojeed for what he described as an excellent job.
He said in his characteristic humorous manner that even though he did not grant permission to the author to use his letters, he read through the work and liked it.
He observed that he was convinced by the Catholic Arch Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Kukah to attend the event.
“I did not intend to come. He (Mojeed) did not take my permission. Until last week when he brought me two copies, I did not know that he was writing the book. When I read the book, I was flabbergasted. I was torn between him not telling me and the amount of work he put in.
“I read a part and rang him. I told him, you have unearthed this part? This is good. I did not reply to his letter because I did not want him to quote me.
““I met my Waterloo when I called Bishop Kukah, who told me he was reading my book. He told me to be here..
“I found the book really really amazing. I have finished reading it and I will ask you to try reading it. There are many things I have forgotten . When I read some of the letters, I marvel.”
Obasanjo said that he believes in letter writing and does not have a substitute to it to communicate effectively.
“Your letter must be relevant, realistic, purposeful and goes to the point to address your point.
“It must also stand the test of time.
When I read some of the letters in the book, I said to myself, what gave me the courage? If you ask me to give it a title, I would title it Audacity of an Optimist.
“The thing about a letter is not something personal. There was nothing personal to me about them – the community, society, the military, the Organisation that I belong to, the civil war, how to win the war so that we can finish quickly…”
The event was chaired by Mr Yusuf Ali (SAN), the book reviewed by Bishop Hasssn Kukah, and presented by a former Director General of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Ifueko Okauru.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Guest of Honour was represented by Mr Chidoka who presented a written address on his behalf.
Jonathan described Obasanjo as a father-like figure whose letters created engagements within the political arena, diplomatic world and other sectors.
The former President commended Mojeed for the work which assembled several historic letters into a single book.
In his remarks, the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson said that he attended the event to support Mojeed, a professional who should be supported, and to be associated with one of the greatest leaders who was the focus of the works.
Senator Dickson who described Obasanjo as an iconic leader said that the former President’s history is intertwined with Nigeria.
He said that it was pertinent “to support any work that has to do with the preservation and recording of our history especially if anyone like Chief Obasanjo whose history is intertwined with Nigeria.”
He bought 20 copies of the book for N2 million and challenge journalists to undertake more research into the lives and activities of leaders of the nation.
He Proposes a Presidential library for former president the operations of which should be funded nationally.
