Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has attributed the nation’s stagnated development to greed, selfishness, and ignorance.
Speaking during the 40th Anniversary and Awards Service of the Methodist Church of Nigeria in Abuja, where he and General Yakubu Gowon were honoured as Knights of John Wesley, Obasanjo underscored that God endowed Nigeria with all it needs to prosper, but human shortcomings have undermined the country’s potential.
“God did not create Nigeria to be a ‘basket case,’” Obasanjo said, adding that “what God has given to us, we have messed it up. It is not the fault of God.” He further emphasised that Nigerians must show humility and repentance, calling on political and religious leaders to intensify prayers for peace and unity. “Men of God, pastors, priests, bishops, archbishops, they should never stop being close to God and praying to God,” he urged.
Obasanjo humorously recounted a story about God’s creation of Nigeria, reflecting on the country’s natural wealth. “He put two rivers, Benue and Niger…He put oil, tin, and other minerals…Then He went to the coast and put plenty of fish,” he said, adding that despite these gifts, “the people of this country…messed it all up.”
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, lauded the Methodist Church for its impactful role in Nigeria’s development. “Over the past four decades in Abuja and 182 years in Nigeria, the Methodist Church has played a pivotal role in the development of our nation,” Wike said on behalf of Tinubu.
He commended the church for its contributions to social justice, education, and humanitarian work, calling for continued partnership between faith-based organisations and the government to tackle societal challenges.
“The challenges we face as a nation require a united front,” Tinubu added, urging the church to maintain its mission of compassion and service.
The Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Oliver Ali Aba, expressed his appreciation for the resilience of the nation despite the current challenges. “Looking at some of these things that are happening around us, if it were in other nations, they would have gone fully. But we are still together,” he remarked.
Aba likened Nigeria to a “baby crawling” that must rise and stand firm, highlighting the nation’s potential for greatness. He called for unity, stating, “All hands must be on deck; we must struggle together to make sure that Nigeria is built properly for posterity to come.”
