Apparently disturbed by unmitigated hardship in the country following the federal government’s hasty removal of petrol subsidy, former President Olusegun Obasanjo said the country is pushing its citizens into poverty because of poor implementation of good policies.
Obasanjo stated this yesterday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the public presentation of the book entitled ‘Reclaiming the Jewel of Africa,’ written by a former minister of industry, trade and investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga.
“Nigeria is a potential jewel of Africa, if you want to put it that way. We have never attained that position. Can you reclaim what you have never had or attained?
“Over the last 63 years, we have not lived up to expectations. We have disappointed ourselves; we have disappointed Africa; we have disappointed the black race; and we have disappointed the world,” he said.
Obasanjo also took a swipe at Nigerian leaders saying most of them are bereft of ideas relating to development.
“We are carried along by ego and emotion of self, selfishness and self-centeredness, ethnic and religious jingoism with total lack of understanding of the world we live in and gross misunderstanding of what development entails and how to move fast and continuously on the trajectory of development.
“If you ask most of our leaders why they want to be in the position they are craving for, you will weep for your nation over their level of emptiness as far as development issues are concerned. What do they understand for peace, security, stability, predictability, development, growth and progress to be actualised?
“I believe that peace, security, democracy and prosperity must be taken together,” he added.
He commended Aganga for the book describing it as “timely and relevant” adding that the writing is the product of the author’s practical experience, exposure, professional understanding and interaction.
Also speaking, former President Goodluck Jonathan congratulated Aganga who served in his government as minister of industry trade and investment.
Jonathan said the book is a “special one because I know the capacity of the author, who worked closely with me in managing the economy of our country, under our administration.”
He added: “Then, Aganga handled key portfolios in the economic sector, including the finance minister, chairman of the economic management team, and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment. You could simply describe him as an insider on economic issues, in our administration.
“It is comforting that he has documented his experience in government and his substantial experience in global finance and economic management in this book.
“I am privileged to have seen the book before many of you because Aganga sent me a copy in advance. I will say that the book is a rich resource on development and a pathway to progress, focusing on the solutions Nigeria needs in order to unleash its greatness for the good of our people.
“Dr. Aganga at a point turned me into a marketing manager by travelling with me to at least 40 countries in search of foreign investment.
“I am glad that the venture and travels, which he captured in one of the chapters in the book, paid off, as our nation then became Africa’s first destination for foreign direct investment and one of the fastest growing economies at that time.
“It is not surprising that the book is already a bestseller, even before it was first publicly presented in London and now here in Nigeria. This is because of the unique character and personality of the author. Dr. Aganga has a great passion and desire for Nigeria and Africa’s development.”
