The former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians to take collective responsibility for the country’s development, emphasizing that God did not create Nigeria to be a basket case.
Speaking at the 40th-anniversary celebration of the Methodist Church Nigeria in Abuja on Sunday, Obasanjo reminisced about Abuja’s development, recalling that “the Japanese group that designed the city’s master plan with a population limit of 3 million. Today, Abuja has nearly 5 million residents”.
“I believe God has not created Nigeria to be a basket case. No, God has given us all that we need. I tell the joke about God creating Africa, and when He got to Nigeria, He put two rivers, the Benue and the Niger. There aren’t many countries where God did that. He enriched the soil with oil, tin, and other minerals, and along the coast, He placed beautiful beaches and plenty of fish. Then, Archangel Michael said to God, ‘You’re doing too much here,’ and God laughed and replied, ‘Don’t worry! You will see the people of this country. They will mess it all up.’ So, what God has given us, we have messed up. It’s not God’s fault.
“When we were planning Abuja, we invited a Japanese group to develop the master plan. They advised that Abuja should be limited to a population of 3 million, which we accepted. After their presentation, I was worried it seemed too artificial. I told the leader of the Japanese group that I didn’t want a city where I couldn’t buy suya and boli (roasted plantain). After explaining these to him, he assured me that they would be incorporated. Today, Abuja has a population of almost 5 million, exceeding the 3 million limit, and I can still buy suya and boli.
“Abuja itself will celebrate its 50th anniversary in two years, and we will all be there. I pray that your church will continue to grow from strength to strength and that God, who made you the first church in Nigeria, will continue to place you at the forefront of Christianity and the spread of the Gospel,” he said.
Other Nigerian leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, joined Obasanjo in promoting unity and prosperity.
In his speech, President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of the FCT, Abuja, Mr. Nyesom Wike, praised the Methodist Church’s contributions to education, social justice, and community outreach.
He urged the church to remain steadfast in its commitment to prayer and service.
“The church’s initiatives in education have empowered generations, equipping our youth with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world. It has been instrumental in promoting peace and unity in our nation, with messages of love, reconciliation, and understanding fostering dialogue among diverse communities. Your leadership is crucial, especially in challenging times, as we face multifaceted difficulties,” the Vanguard newspaper report on Monday quoted Tinubu as saying.
