Nigeria is God’s special creation for the service of its citizens and those of other nations, especially in Africa, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said in Lagos on Monday.
“What we are is not for ourselves alone,’’ Obasanjo said at a reception hosted in his honour by his children and grandchildren to mark his 75th birthday.
Guests at the well-attended reception included Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma, and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
Others were serving and former state governors, ministers and top government functionaries as well as captains of industry.
“When we act as Nigerians, or fail to act, it reflects not only on us but on all of us in West Africa, Africa and beyond,’’ Obasanjo said.
“There is no reason, no explanation, and no excuse for this country not to be great. If every one of us can make contributions that will make the country great, I will be greatly fulfilled.’’
In apparent reaction to the acknowledgement by Liberian President Johnson Sirleaf of Nigeria’s peace keeping roles, especially in West Africa, Obasanjo declared: “If we have done anything, …to me, it is enlightened self interest.’’
“If things are bad in Nigeria, there will be implications. That is why we should not let anything bad happen here. We have all it takes to be a great nation.’’
Obasanjo thanked all those who attended the ceremonies marking his birthday, including the two West African leaders and his deputy while in office, former Vice-President Abubakar.
Earlier, Abubakar, accompanied by his wife, Titi, and a retinue of political associates and aides described Obasanjo as “not just my boss, but my only boss’’.
He said the former president treated him with fondness while he served, stressing: “never mind the agreements and disagreements which are normal in any human relationship’’.
“Today, we are here not to celebrate him, but to celebrate Nigeria for having a leader like him.’’
Atiku said that his robust presence at the ceremony was to express “goodwill, reverence and support’’ for the sterling qualities Obasanjo had offered the country.
He thanked God for the opportunity to have worked with Obasanjo. (NAN)
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