I Will Celebrate Big At 80, Says Obasanjo

Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo clocked 75 today and declared that he was not willing to celebrate his birthday in a lavish manner until when God spares his life till he hits 80.

Olusegun Obasanjo

The 75th birthday of the former president was being marked at the premises of his Presidential Library located along IBB Boulevard, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria, as at press time today with the launch of two books to commemorate the milestone.
Obasanjo, who refused to make elaborate speeches, said the situation in Nigeria today called for sober reflection which will not allow him to celebrate his birthday in a big way.
He noted that the rate of unemployment and the lack of food and insecurity do not give him joy to roll out the drums to mark his birthday.
He expressed the hope that God will spare his life till the next five years and when he clocks 80, the Nigeria of his dreams must have been achieved and he would celebrate his 80th birthday better.
Speaking at the occasion, the Vice President of the World Bank, Oby Ezekwesili, eulogised the former President, saying that to the people outside Nigeria, Obasanjo is a role model and a leader worthy of emulation.
She urged Nigerians to tap from the wealth of experience of the former president.
She advised Africans to strive to achieve more on food production to achieve food security, stressing that instead of fighting themselves, they should fight hunger and poverty.
As part of the former leader’s 75th birthday today, school children presented a drama. They also recited some poems.
The programme was ongoing as at press time.
However, as low-keyed as Obasanjo might want his 75th birthday celebration, prominent Nigerians this morning started to shower encomiums on the former president.
First, President Goodluck Jonathan, in a message, described Obasanjo as a leader who had served Nigeria throughout most of his adult life.
Similarly, Senate President, David Mark; Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal; former military leader, General Ibrahim B. Babangida; Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State; Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, National Vice Chairman of PDP in Southwest; Dr. Olusola Obada, Minister of State for Defence; former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and other prominent Nigerians bought spaces in national dailies today to congratulate him.
—Abiodun Onafuye/Abeokuta