OLUSEGUN OBASANJO AT 78

Olusegun Obasanjo served as President of Nigeria from May 1999 to May 2007. It was the culmination of a life spent on the front line of African politics. In 2008 he was appointed by the United Nations as a special envoy for Africa and has since overseen democratic elections on behalf of the African Union and Ecowas in countries across the continent. He has since emerged as an advocate for investment into the country and with the launch of his Foundation will tackle issues critical to advance across the Continent.

Obasanjo became President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1999, following the demise of the military dictatorship of General Sani Abacha. After fifteen years of repressive rule that saw Nigeria slip into pariah status internationally, Obasanjo quickly emerged as the front-runner to lead the country’s historic transition back to democracy. He had suffered firsthand the brutality of the Abacha regime, having been imprisoned in 1995 on fabricated charges of plotting a coup to depose him.

Leadership was first thrust upon him in 13th February 1976 when he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt that killed Nigeria’s military ruler, Murtala Mohammed. As deputy he took over as head of state and vowed to restore civilian rule once the conditions for democracy were established. True to his word he gave way to Shehu Shagari , the winner of elections held in 1979, to date the only voluntary handover from military to civilian rule in Nigerian history.

Obasanjo’s elected term in office was characterized by a commitment to the rule of law, economic and political reform. He worked to rebuild institutions wrecked by decades of neglect, repression and mismanagement. This included the appointment of key, reform minded technocrats such as the finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and education minister Obiageli Ezekwesili – both internationally respected leaders in their fields.

Selecting Charles Soludo as Governor of the Central Bank paved the way for consolidation in the country’s banking sector, transforming it into one of the most dynamic industries on the continent. Liberalisation of the telecommunications sector has allowed Nigeria to become Africa’s largest and fastest growing markets for ICTs.

He created the country’s first Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which secured in excess of 275 convictions, including high profile members of Nigeria’s elite, recovering a total of $5bn in assets. This was the first time in the country’s history that public officials were prosecuted for the misuse of state funds.

With high oil prices, Obasanjo’s government oversaw a doubling of Nigeria’s average economic growth rate to 6 per cent.Foreign reserves rose from $3.7 billion in 1999 to $45 billion in 2007. Sound economic stewardship helped Obasanjo secure $18 billion in debt relief from Western creditors and his government used burgeoning state revenues to pay down a further $12 billion in dues leaving Nigeria almost debt free.

He is also a role model for the youth of Africa. He established the African Leadership Forum, which organises workshops advocating African solutions to African problems through better leadership, state capacity building and the encouragement of private enterprise. The Presidential Library complex he is building in his home town of Abeokuta will be the first of its kind in Africa – an enduring testament to his leadership, and a model for the rest of the continent.

Outside of Nigeria he has been central in the regeneration and repositioning of the African Union. Together with former South African president Thabo Mbeki he lead the creation of the African Peer Review Mechanism designed to engender and promote the ideals of democracy and good governance, and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development.

After serving his country for eight years and restoring the respect of its continental peers and the international community, Obasanjo stepped down in 2007.His role as African ambassador-at-large has continued..
In 2008 he was appointed special Envoy on the Great Lakes region by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and continues to be an integral actor in mediation efforts in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Obasanjo has also served as the African Union’s Special Envoy for Togo’s 2010 Presidential elections, as well as South Africa’s presidential polls in 2009.
As the Special Envoy for ECOWAS, his role in diffusing the crisis that threatened civil war in Cote D’Ivoire 2011 was vital. When democracy was once again threatened in Senegal during controversial presidential polls in March 2012, he promptly led the joint African Union and Ecowas mission to resolve the standoff, paving the way for a smooth transition and pulling one of Africa’s oldest democracies back from the brink.
Outside the political arena Obasanjo has been a catalyst in driving Africa’s economic transformation. The region is now amongst the fastest growing in the world, rapidly becoming the destination of choice for international investors looking to emerging and frontier markets. Using his experience as a successful farmer and businessman in Nigeria he is actively engaging this community to facilitate more investment into the continent. Obasanjo will achieve this vision through the Africa Investment Council (AIC) a platform of distinguished leaders working to provide advocacy, thought-leadership, collaboration and best-practices on sustainable investment into Africa. He is presently an advisor to New World Capital; an investment advisory firm providing interested parties with market access, investment advisory and co-investment opportunities across the continent.
President Obasanjo is also Founder of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, a UK based charity that has a mission of advancing Human Security for All. The Foundation has wide ranging initiatives of Feeding Africa, Youth Empowerment, Education for Girls and a health initiative focused on non-communicable and water borne diseases.
As Africa assumes an increasingly central role in international policy and business the continent will continue to have an unwavering advocate in Obasanjo.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MAY YOU ENJOY VERY GOOD HEALTH IN THE

YEARS AHEAD.

ARE YOU ENLIGHTENED OR A CONTROL FREAK? What Your Airplane Seat Choice Says About You.

Are you an aisle or a window?

Choosing your seat on an airplane is a big deal. People obsessively check SeatGuru.com before picking a seat or even pay more for a certain position on the plane. Why? “It’s a rare opportunity to have some control over your environment when traveling,” explains psychologist and University of Washington professor Jonathan Bricker, Ph.D. “That’s very significant for the traveler.” Indeed – ask people whether they’re an aisle or window person, and they don’t hesitate to answer. (In case you're wondering, based on Expedia.com customers who indicated a seat preference, 55 percent prefer a window seat and 45 percent prefer an aisle seat.) So Yahoo Travel researched, asked the experts, and picked the brains of frequent fliers to find out what your seat choice says about you.

If you’re an aisle person:


You value freedom. “Choosing an aisle seat is an expression of freedom. You know you have the ability to get up and walk around without having to ask anyone or climb over your seatmate,” says Bricker.

You’re an introvert. When stuck in a large group of people (as you are on plane – sometimes for hours) introverts feel physically uncomfortable and tend to want to stay on the periphery and have an easy escape route (even if it’s just in their heads), and they don’t like to be surrounded by people or objects on all sides. The aisle seats checks those boxes more than any other.

You’re all business. No gazing out the window and daydreaming for you. Plus it’s usually much more comfortable to sleep at the window, so you’ll likely be up working or reading a book.
You like to be in the power position. You’re the first one to talk to the flight attendant when she asks what you want to drink. You control your seatmates in a sense – middle and window people need to ask you to go the bathroom – and you can set the tone for the interaction by either being nice or grumpy about it. You’re the de facto dictator of the row.

You tend to be a bit claustrophobic. Sitting on the aisle is about as much open space as you get on board. (Too bad you can’t sit on the wing.) If you’re a window person:

You value privacy. When you choose the window, there’s a wall on one side, so for the most part, you’re insulated enough that you won’t be affected by other people’s behavior, explains Bricker. And you won’t have your seatmate asking you to move so he can go to the bathroom.

You’re a nester. “You can create your own little own space by the window,” says Bricker. The spot feels cozier, and you can rest a pillow against the wall for more comfy naps. “You can create a little bit of a home,” he says.

Never a Bad Seat on View from the Wing
You’re a dreamer. Yahoo Travel’s Editor in Chief, Paula Froelich, says she likes to look out the window because she can think about all the amazing places out there she can visit. We suspect she’s not alone.
You’re open to new experiences. According to Brian Little, Ph.D., psychologist and author of Me, Myself and Us: The Science of Personality and the Art of Well-Being, the fact that the window allows you to watch the actual Rocky Mountains go by – which in your world that’s so much better than watching an in-flight movie about the Rockies - belies this trait.

If you’re cool with the middle seat:

You’re an extrovert. “Outgoing people like social contact,” explains Little, so they wouldn’t dread sitting between two strangers as much as others might. Yes, chatty Cathy, you’re that person on the plane.
You’re highly evolved. “Being okay with the middle seat, especially on a long flight, is an exercise in acceptance and willingness to allow what is be what is,” says Bricker. “If you’re able to give up your privacy and your autonomy, and realize it’s just a moment in time that will pass, you’re probably the most enlightened passenger on the plane.”
Related: Armrest Etiquette: We End the Armrest Battle Once and for All.

You’re considerate. Often, when someone chooses the aisle seat, it’s because they’re with a friend or partner, and they’re doing it as a gift to the traveling companion, explains psychologist, Pauline Wallin, Ph.D.
You’re low man on the totem pole. If you’re traveling with family or friends and you get stuck in the middle seat (as opposed to offering to sit there), it’s probably because you’re the one with the least amount of power in the group, says Wallin.

You’re disorganized. People who repeatedly end up with the middle seat may very well be there because they failed to sufficiently plan ahead. Get it together.

If you only do business class:

You’re a control freak. “You don’t want to have to choose between values – between freedom and comfort, for example,” explains Bricker. “Paying the extra money allows you to protect both. What you’re really buying is opportunity to exercise these values.” Plus, there’s plenty of place to store your overhead luggage - no being forced to cram your stuff into leftover space.

You value your time. It says a lot when you’re willing to spend several times the price of a regular seat, and one of the perks of the business class ticket is that it comes with priority boarding, explains Bricker. Plus, being at the front of the plane allows you to get off more quickly, too.

You’re a little pretentious. Sometimes people like to fly business class because of how it appears to others – “They like that sense of privilege, of having something that other people can’t,” explains Wallin.

You’re rich. Obviously. Or your employer is. Or you have mega frequent-flyer miles.

Written by Leah Ginsberg. 
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President Jonathan’s Full Speech On Nigeria’s 54th Independence Anniversary

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday addressed the nation, on the occasion of Nigeria’s 54th Independence Day Anniversary.
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In his speech, the President recounted Nigeria’s
experiences in it’s first 100 years as a sovereign nation,
adding that “far reaching advances in building a strong,
united and prosperous nation” had been made. However,
he noted that the country is still in a sober mood,
following the activities of terrorists.
He addressed issues concerning the economy, terrorism,
Ebola, while espousing his administration’s
achievements.
Full Transcript Below:

Fellow Nigerians:
1. Today marks the 54th anniversary of our country’s
independence as a sovereign nation. This is also the
tenth month of our journey into a new century, having
marked the centenary of our nation in January this year.
2. The first one hundred years were marked by triumphs
and tribulations, benefits and burdens, opportunities and
challenges. We made some far reaching advances in
building a strong, united and prosperous nation. We also
overcame the forces of disunity that culminated in a
debilitating civil war. We have also renewed our faith in
one another, and in our country. We have proven that
we are truly a resilient nation.
3. In my address to the nation last year, I did emphasize
that we were in a sober moment in our country. We are
still in that mood in spite of the many accomplishments
of our administration. Our sombreness has to do with
the crises of nationhood occasioned by the activities of
terrorist elements who have done the unimaginable to
challenge our unity as a people.
4. On an occasion like this, it is important that we
remember all the precious souls that have been lost in
the unprecedented war of terror unleashed on some
parts of our country by these individuals who want to
compel us to live our lives their way. They will not
succeed!
5. In their mission, they have maimed and raped. They
have killed men, women and children, rendering many
children orphans and several women widows.
6.They have made violence their ideology and are bent
on destroying our country. Dear countrymen and
women, we will not allow them.
7. Night after night, day after day, our security forces
continue to engage the terrorists in battle. My gratitude
goes out to our armed forces whose will has been
greatly challenged by this insurgency more than any
other time, since the civil war.
8. Yet, they have remained undaunted and unwearied in
the face of constant challenge and mortal danger.
Driven by patriotic zeal, they are turning the tide by
their prowess and determination. As Commander-in-
Chief, I will continue to do all it takes to enable them to
keep on inflicting devastating blows at the heart of
terror. Fellow Nigerians, it is our collective duty as
patriots to avail our men and women in uniform of all
the support they need to fight and win this war.
9. This Administration is committed to making Nigeria
safe for all Nigerians, irrespective of our places of birth,
how we worship God and our political persuasion. To all
those waging war against our country, I ask that you
lay down your arms and embrace peace.
10. To those who have genuine grievances, I affirm that
Nigeria will listen to you, if you bring your grievances to
the table of dialogue. To the good people of Nigeria, let
me restate that our task of building a better and greater
country must not waver.
11. While we continue to deploy our resources in the
fight against the terrorists, we do recognize the great
toll the conflict is taking on our people.
12.This is why, to assist the afflicted, we have launched
the Victims Support Fund, an independent multi-sectoral
charity, which will aggressively solicit resources to
augment Government’s statutory intervention, in
bringing succour to the injured, the displaced and the
bereaved.
13. In partnership with Nigerian business leaders and
international partners, we have also introduced the Safe
Schools Initiative which is aimed at promoting safe
environments for education nationwide, starting with the
North East region.
14. The Presidential Initiative for the North East, a
comprehensive programme to fast-track the economic
restoration of this region, which has been the epicentre
of terrorist activity, has been set up.
15. Our overall objective is to do all we possibly can, to
sustain in the North-East, the momentum of economic
advancement, which is on-going in other parts of the
country, despite the machinations of the terrorists and
their sponsors.
16. It should now be clear to anyone who was ever in
doubt that these terrorists do not mean well for anyone,
of whatever religion or dispensation. Their persistent
choice of the weakest and most vulnerable in society,
for gruesome attack, provides an insight into their
abnormal mind-set.
17. I urge every Nigerian to put aside political, sectional
or other parochial considerations, and support whole-
heartedly the efforts of the government and the military,
in checking this evil.
18. We are grateful to the international community, and
especially our neighbours who are working closely with
us in confronting this challenge, for their increased
partnership and solidarity. Our steady progress in
weakening the insurgency has certainly justified our
cooperation.
19. Fellow Nigerians, in my independence anniversary
address last year, I informed you that we had taken
cognizance of the suggestion over the years by well-
meaning Nigerians on the need to focus attention on
rebuilding and strengthening the ligaments of our union.
It was in that regard that we announced the convening
of a National Dialogue on the future of our beloved
country.
20. We have successfully delivered on that promise as
we established the 2014 National Conference headed by
Justice Legbo Kutigi. After months of deliberations,
which did not come without its challenges, the
conference concluded its assignment and has handed its
report to me.
21. I have made a firm commitment that we would act
on the recommendations of the conference. This, I have
started by setting up the Ministerial Committee headed
by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to
work out the modalities for implementing the report.
Every promise I make, God willing, I will see to its
fulfilment. I assure you, we shall implement the report.
22. One major lesson which the 2014 National
Conference has taught us as a country is that, a multi-
ethnic country like ours, must learn to embrace
painstaking dialogue until consensus is established.
23. To me, the National Conference is the greatest
centenary gift to our country that we must cherish and
sustain.
24. Fellow Nigerians, our 54 year-journey as a nation
has not been easy. There have been tough periods, but
the Nigerian spirit and the unflagging resilience of our
people have seen us through. We will continue to march
forward to greater heights.
25. We have been able to sustain a big, strong and
influential country with a robust economy. We are
currently in our sixteenth year of uninterrupted
democratic rule, daily improving on the consolidation of
our democratic process.
26. Our Administration has made a commitment to
ensure that we build and sustain a democratic
infrastructure anchored on free and fair elections.
International and local observers have attested to the
positive evolution of electoral credibility and we cannot
afford to relent.
27. We will continue to ensure that the will of the
electorate prevails so that political leaders would be
reminded at all times that there is a day of reckoning
when they have to go back to the people at the polls.
Election days must not be days of violence and death.
We must remain vigilant to ensure that our electoral
process is characterised by peace, security and
transparency.
28. I enjoin the Independent National Electoral
Commission (INEC), all security agencies, politicians
and the electorate to work conscientiously and
peacefully, together, to consolidate on the gains of the
recent elections. Free and fair elections have come to
stay; nothing else will be acceptable to our people.
29. My dear countrymen and women, occasions such as
this present an opportunity to thank God for our country
and to report to you, on our journey so far.
30. Our power sector reform is on course with the
ultimate objective of generating enough electricity to
power our homes, industries and businesses. We are
making giant strides in the Agricultural Sector which we
are re-positioning to diversify our economy. We will
continue to upgrade our infrastructure to make life
easier for all and create an enabling environment for
enterprise to flourish.
31. Over the last four years, the implementation of the
Nigerian Content Act in the Oil and Gas Sector has
ensured major increase in the participation of indigenous
Oil and Gas companies in the industry.
Several critical infrastructure projects have been
commissioned and commenced. The level of indigenous
asset ownership has greatly increased and utilisation of
Nigerian-owned and built assets such as marine
vessels and rigs is being progressively enforced.
32. There has been maximised local value addition by
encouraging the manufacture of equipment components
and parts within the country. There has also been
massive growth in indigenous participation in the
provision of goods and services to the upstream sector
from 10% to 60% within the last four years.
33. Today, following the rebasing of our economy, every
international monitoring and ratings agency now
acknowledges Nigeria as the largest economy in Africa,
with a Gross Domestic Product of five hundred and ten
billion dollars ($510 billion) which also places us as the
26th largest economy in the world. This is progress.
34. Earlier in the year, we launched the Nigeria Industrial
Revolution Plan (NIRP) and the National Enterprise
Development Programme (NEDEP) with the stated
objective of fast tracking inclusive growth, job creation,
enterprise development and industrialisation.
35.The success of these policies is already evident in
the increased value addition in the agricultural and
manufacturing sectors.
36. In line with our objective of encouraging the
production of made-in-Nigeria vehicles and making
Nigeria a regional hub for the automobile industry, a
number of foreign auto manufacturers have established
plants in Nigeria, complementing the laudable efforts of
our local vehicle manufacturers who have also
demonstrated great innovation and competitiveness.
37. We have also launched a special support programme
for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises with an initial
intervention fund of two hundred and twenty billion
naira (N220 b). This is in addition to the Presidential
Job Creation Board which I inaugurated recently with
the charge to create three million jobs annually.
38. In demonstration of our Administration’s
commitment to addressing Nigeria’s housing deficit, we
have commenced the new mortgage re-finance
programme with the establishment of the Nigerian
Mortgage Re-finance Company. It is expected that, in
addition to creating additional housing units across the
country, this initiative also represents a huge job
creation opportunity.
39. We have recorded notable success in the social
sector. Nigeria has been globally acknowledged for
reducing extreme hunger by more than half, with the
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) formally
presenting the country with an award for achieving the
Millennium Development Goal on Hunger three years
ahead of the 2015 target date set for the Millennium
Development Goals.
40. This progress is as a result of the deliberate policy
of government to increase capacity in our agricultural
sector of which the first step was to address and
eliminate the graft in our fertilizer procurement system
and ensure that the product gets directly to the farmer.
We are expanding our irrigation infrastructure to ensure
that our farmers have sufficient water supply for dry
season farming.
41. A benefit of these combined actions is that our
national food import bill has declined from 1.1 trillion
naira (6.9 billion dollars) in 2009 to 684.7 billion naira
(4.35 billion dollars) by December 2013, and continues
to decline.
42. Modern hybrid schools are being provided for less
privileged children across the country, resulting in
significant increase in the national school enrolment
figure
43. In order to further enhance access to education at
the tertiary level, fourteen new Federal Universities have
been established; and, to encourage persons of
exceptional abilities, our administration has also
introduced a Presidential Scholarship Scheme based
strictly on excellence and merit.
44. On infrastructure, we are building roads, bridges, and
new rail lines to make it easier to traverse Nigeria and
increase the integration of our people and our ability to
do business with each other. In this regard, we have
commenced the process of building the Second Niger
Bridge. The Loko-Oweto Bridge over River Benue in
Nasarawa and Benue States, will significantly reduce
travel time by road between Northern and Southern
Nigeria. The on-going dredging of the River Niger up to
Baro in Niger State is opening up large parts of the
Nigerian hinterland to maritime activity.
45. The Zungeru and Mambilla Hydro-electric power
projects are on course, and the Kashimbilla dam which
we started a few years ago, is nearing completion. The
successful privatisation of our power sector will in the
long run enhance industrial growth. Policies such as
this and others have raised Nigeria to the enviable
status of being the number one recipient of Foreign
Direct Investment in Africa in the past year.
46. The result of this infrastructure drive is that two and
a half million jobs have been created over the past two
years. This is a record, which we are committed to
improve upon to continue to provide jobs for our youth.
47. An unprecedented number of Airports across the
country, are not only being reconstructed at the same
time, but being re-equipped and reassessed with
emphasis on maintaining global standards.
48. Fellow Nigerians, the goals we set to achieve for our
country involve expanding the frontiers of economic
freedom. Let us therefore unite with one heart and one
mind. All our people must have access to the good
things of life. All our people must be empowered to
pursue the gift of life with happiness. This is our
country; we must build it for our common posterity.
49. As we move into an election year, desperate moves
to overheat the polity are becoming a regular
occurrence. Our political leaders in particular must know
that the contest for power should not translate to the
destruction of the polity.
50. The contest for the leadership of our country must
yield good governance, and not ungovernable spaces.
The love of country should rank higher than our
individual ambitions.
51. We must remain committed to a united and
indivisible Nigeria within democratic parameters. The
protection of individual rights, liberty, equality before the
law, freedom of thought, and a progressive pursuit of a
sound economy must be our goal.
52. I cannot end this address without commenting on
the deadly Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) which was sadly
brought into our country recently. My directives to the
Federal Ministry of Health saw the ministry leading the
charge in curtailing the spread of this deadly scourge
and managing its impact. This is how it should be:
swift, effective and comprehensive action in defence of
citizens.
53. It must be pointed out that the Ebola battle is still
raging elsewhere in our sub-region. I therefore enjoin all
our citizens to continue to adhere strictly to all the
guidelines that have been given by our health officials
to keep Ebola out of our country.
54. I appreciate and welcome the spirit of collaboration,
unity and partnership with which we confronted the
threat of the Ebola Virus Disease. I thank all Nigerians
for working together to prevent what could have become
a major epidemic. I particularly thank the medical
personnel, some of whom made the ultimate sacrifice.
55. This is the spirit which we must demonstrate at all
times as we face up to our challenges as a nation: one
people, united by a common resolve, in the pursuit of
one common national interest.
56. As we look forward to another year in our national
life, I am more than confident that our tomorrow will be
better than our yesterday and today. Nigeria has got the
human and material resources to excel and we shall
lead the way in that journey to our manifest destiny.
57. Fellow countrymen, brothers and sisters, in all our
plans, and in all our words and our actions, we must
stand together in love and unity, as one people under
God.
58. We are one people from the womb of one Nigeria.
We are brothers and sisters. We are one family. We are
Nigerians.
59. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.