By Mark Orgu, News/Comments
Nigerian former President, who governed between 1999-2007, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has paid tribute to the late former President of the United State of America, Jimmy Carter, who served between 1977-1981, and was buried last week Thursday after state funeral at Plains, Georgia, as, five living presidents, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Barrack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton among top dignitaries were all present. Recall that, Carter died on December 29, 2024 at the age of 100, and was the 39th president of the US.
Meanwhile, Obasanjo, who organized a short memorial service to honour the late President on Sunday at Chapel of Christ the Glorious King, Abeokuta, Ogun state, alongside family members, friends and well wishers , noted, that, he and Carter shared some traits both on family background and leadership.
In his tribute, titled ‘Jimmy Carter: The Departure Of A Titan’, Obasanjo stated that he shared a lot in common with the late American President.
“In terms of early life background, I shared similarity with President Jimmy Carter.
“He was born into a farming family in Plains, Georgia, and I was born into a farming family in the rural village of Ibogun-Olaogun in Ogun.
“He grew up under parents who were disciplinarians, who instilled in him the essence of discipline, morality, hard work, integrity, kindness and humility, compassion for the poor and strong belief in God.
” My parents inculcated similar attributes in me as I was growing up in a rural area that had no pipe water, no electricity just as it was in Plains, Georgia, while Carter was growing there.
“He beat me, though, in one respect, there was a road to his settlement, there was no road to my village. We walked to every place or, at best, we were carried on bicycles.
“President Carter had a military background which I had and we met when I was a military Head of State. But if not that we were both in politics, our paths may not have crossed,” he said.
The Nigerian Ex president stressed , he Carter would be greatly missed by many compatriots and friends. “a great and true friend but I know we shall meet again in paradise.”
The former Nigerian leader explained that he held a service in memory of Carter, who lived and died almost 5,000 miles away because the late American President was a great world leader. “
Carter was a righteous man whose righteousness spread over the whole world. He was a lover of humanity, a man of God; and he was a great and true friend of mine,” Obasanjo stated.
Obasanjo appreciated Carter’s contributions towards his release from prison, and narrated how he was saved from the former late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, who almost struck his neck.
On his part while delivering his sermon, the President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Israel Akanji, advises leaders to emulate the late American President whose humility and good life is now celebrated even after death, describing him as a man of compassion whose philosophy is ‘What is mine is yours if you need’. He called on leaders to pay more attention to the welfare of the people, and not to be selfish.
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