Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has stated that Nigeria’s vast natural resources leave no reason for its citizens to live in poverty. He attributed the nation’s struggles to poor resource management rather than a lack of blessings.
Obasanjo made these remarks during a dinner hosted in his honor by the Abia State Government at the Government House in Umuahia on Friday.
“Nigerians have no business with poverty because God has given us everything we need,” he said. “If we mismanage these resources, we cannot blame God—we must blame ourselves.”
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The former president commended Abia State Governor Alex Otti for his transformative leadership, urging him to sustain his efforts. He emphasized that if at least 18 governors performed effectively, Nigeria would experience significant progress.
Obasanjo also reiterated his commitment to good governance, regardless of personal relationships. “What matters to me is that Nigerians receive the governance they deserve,” he said.
Recalling an earlier interaction with former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, Obasanjo revealed that Amaechi was unaware of a pre-existing national railway plan. “I advised him to check the archives—it was there. While he did some things right as minister, some were also wrong,” he noted.
In response, Governor Otti thanked Obasanjo for his support and shared his decade-long political journey, including election setbacks. “Despite stolen mandates in 2015 and 2019, we persevered because we believed in our vision,” he said. His administration, he added, is prioritizing education reforms to enhance quality learning in Abia.
Meanwhile, Amaechi urged Abia politicians to prepare early for the 2027 elections, warning against complacency. “Good leadership is vital, and we must rally behind competent leaders like Otti to avoid regression,” he stated.
Other speakers, including lawmaker Ginger Onwusibe and Labour Party’s acting National Secretary Darlington Nwokocha, praised Otti’s equitable development across Abia and thanked Obasanjo for his enduring support.
By Ohis Agbebaku