James Sowole in Akure
Former Nigeria’s President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday expressed optimism for a better Nigeria.
Obasanjo spoke in Akure, Ondo State capital at the launch of a book, authored by the leader of the Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti entitled ‘My Life, My Legacy’.
The remark of Obasanjo, who was the chairman at the launch of the book, was sequel to the worries expressed by the nonagenarian that this was not the Nigerian of his dream.
At the launch of the book, many people from all walks of life, paid glowing tributes to the elder statesman.
Some of the dignitaries are the Governors of Ondo, Ekiti and Osun states, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Mr. Gboyega Oyetola respectively, Chief Olu Falae, Prof. Banji Akintoye, and a former Governor of Ogun State, Mr. Gbenga Daniel among others.
The former president described Fasoranti, as a special gift to the Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.
Obasanjo said Pa Fasoranti had been expressing fear of how Nigeria would be when he (Fasoranti) passed on but the former President allayed the fear of the Afenifere leader, saying Nigeria would be better before Fasoranti left the world.
He said, “I want to assure you that you will see the Nigeria of your dream before you leave. Your predecessors wished for a united, progressive country, we will attain the Nigeria of your dream.”
Governor Akeredolu, in his remarks, described Fasoranti as an icon of the nation who used most part of his life moulding the young ones.
“Many of your students are proud of you because you made impact on their lives. You are our pride in Ondo State. You are not only the pride of Akure town but Ondo in general. Before you go, this country will be good,” Akeredolu assured.
While welcoming the guests at the event held at the Ondo State International Event Centre, The Dome, Pa Fasoranti, expressed his delight on the quality of guests in attendance.
Fasoranti told guests, that he wished for a public digital library to articulate and archive critical events of Nigeria’s history; pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial, to be established in his life time. He called on all stakeholders to ensure the project was completed before his departure.
He said, “Time is no longer my friend, though, but with you, great and understanding people, time can still be bought to get the project accomplished before my time is finally out. I now respectfully welcome and invite you to make the project a reality. I wish you save journey back at the end of the exercise.
“In my life adventures, l have tried to see what I could leave behind for humanity. To this extent, I have tried to invest in human beings. I have served the people at local, state and national levels and shown the way to selfless services I have experimented with western education to set examples I have also made some input into human capacity building. Of late, however it occurred to me that I must have a project as a centre to harness and concretise all these; something unique, more lasting, modest, noble and useful in lifting up humanity.”
Fasoranti, a former Commissioner for Finance, in Ondo State , who said the book launched, was his autobiography, also lamented the bad situation of the country, saying “ this is not the Nigeria of my, nay our, dream.”
The Chairman of the Governors’ Forum and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, who was also one of the students of the celebrant, assured that the project would be completed as he said all the governors of the South West would pool resources to carry out the project, to honour the nonagenarian Afenifere leader.
