The OBJ Example: Lesson For Nigerians

By Don Domnic

Last week, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was seen driving Keke in Abeokuta, conveying passengers to their destinations.

The statesman had a rare opportunity of leading Nigeria twice first in 1976 -1979 as a military leader after the assassination of the then leader General Murtala Ramat Muhammad on February 13th 1976.

Chief Obasanjo came back in 1999, having won the election under the People’s Democratic Party and served for two terms which ended in 2007 when he handed over to the late President Musa Yar’adua.

OBJ, as he is fondly called, according to reports, said that his action of using the Keke was to convince the youths of the profitability worthwhile of such a venture.

This is indeed a great example to us all. “It is said that doing what you like is liberty but liking what you do is happiness.”

I think OBJ likes what he does. In fact, during his last birthday, he dressed in soccer attire and was dancing in a football field. Afterwards, he captained his team to victory.

That birthday was his 85th. You see, a lot of people who are unemployed may be looking down on using a Keke to make ends meet but OBJ’s example is a master stroke in development communications strategy of using communication as a teaching tool, and the strategy really worked.

This is what is expected of us all – to lead by example and to show empathy to the sufferings of your fellow mortals.

Life in itself is a great school that teaches every day for those that are willing to learn; and we learn everyday, every hour, every minute, if only we are humble.

Remember that after leaving office, OBJ went back to the university and earned a doctorate degree in theology from the National Open University of Nigeria.

Was it not the late Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri of the Great Nigeria People’s Party whose mantra was ‘politics without bitterness’, who said that “he graduated from the University of Practical Life”.

If from time to time, leaders show by example that simmers, a lot will change.

Kudos to Your Excellency, your message was well received.

Arise oh compatriots!

Adadainfo Adadareporters.com is an online newspaper reporting Nigerian news. Email: adadainfo1@gmail.com Phone: 08071790941

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