Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday lamented the state of poverty under the President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, saying the middle class has been destroyed by the economic situation.
According to the former president, “A distress text message received by me from a Nigerian requesting for financial assistance clearly indicated that the middle class era has been destroyed by the economic situation.”
According to the former president, “A distress text message received by me from a Nigerian requesting for financial assistance clearly indicated that the middle class era has been destroyed by the economic situation.”
Obasanjo likened the present state of the economy to the one witnessed under the military junta headed by the late General Sani Abacha.
The former president, who addressed a group of traders who were on a courtesy visit to his Abeokuta residence, read the Save Our Soul (SOS) message he (Obasanjo) received to the traders, saying: “I told him (the text message sender) that we have experienced this period during the time of Abacha, all the middle class was completely destroyed.”
He said the development notwithstanding, the situation did not change his conviction that “tough time do not last forever, and when tough times come, tough people get going. We will keep going and we will survive this tough time.”
Obasanjo narrated the story of a military personnel who could not afford to buy a brand new car, which he said was a surprise to him.
“I was surprised the day a colonel in the army came to me, complaining that he and his family could not afford to buy a car,” he said.
He also gave another example about a medical doctor’s family that had to relocate to the Arabian country to survive.
“A friend of mine, Dr. Okoro, a medical doctor, his wife was also a medical doctor and they have a daughter who is a medical doctor too. Between the three of them, they could not afford a new car, they had to go to Saudi Arabia. But I pray we will not have such a time in Nigeria,” he said.
While responding to the request of the traders on the way forward especially ahead of the 2015 political dispensation, he said Nigerians have to be alert and vigilant on the situation.
He said: “We have to be at alert. To be forewarned is to be fore armed, if we will get ourselves out of the morals we find ourselves in, it has to be done by each and every one of us.
“We all have contribution to make and should not leave our responsibility on others to do. If we fail to participate in things that are meaningfully positive for this country, you will be a victim and we all become victims.”
Obasanjo said as far as the next political dispensation is concerned, he could not decide yet, resorting on spiritual guidance for help.
Obasanjo said as far as the next political dispensation is concerned, he could not decide yet, resorting on spiritual guidance for help.
He said: “As for me, we don’t know where we are going yet, may God show us the way. The way that will take this country and make it a great one, and when, for me, I understand and I see the way, I will tell you. I pray that God will show me the way, may God show you the way.”
However, leader of the delegation and National President of the Nigerian Market/Traders Council, Mrs. Funsho Osho, said the visit was meant to get the direction of the former president on the 2015 elections.
She said the council had tremendous support from the former president during his eight year rule “as such, we deem it necessary and as a mark of respect to come and find out on which direction we are going.”
*Hmmm Obasanjo get bad mouth sha....I dont know when Nigeria became so bad.There used to be a time that being a Nigerian was big deal because of our wealth.We lost Nigeria a long time ago and we cannot get it back,however we can build a new Nigeria together.
How can that be possible when most posiions are occupied by National treasury looters????...Dont ask me abeg!
Akuko n'egwu
ReplyDeleteBlog analyser: what do we to reduce it? That is the question? Honestly I am fed up with Nigeria, common "heirtal" network is not working well in a place like Lagos. I am not just happy with them.
DeleteHe shuld distrubute hz wealth around nau if hz dat concerned
DeletePls visit my shoe blog
www.glowysofiscated.blogspot.com
Stories dat toush! And wat was his tenure like again?
DeleteLangleychic
Nigerian govt is going down day by day.
DeleteHe should help by shearing his loot.
DeleteEvn if I had asked u ,na who u go ask?
ReplyDeleteWhat is this gorilla called obasanjo talking about? U that killed many people when u were ruling, eg Bola Age, Maurice Ibekwe etc. Just shut it wicked bitch, continue to sleep with your daughter.
Deletelike he did so much in his time.....mtcheeewww. pot calling kettle black.
ReplyDeleteI have better things to read dis morning pls.
Seconded! "Namsense"!!!
DeleteI hate this man with a passion and will gladly put a bullet between his eyes @very close range.If he suffers from age-related amnesia well I don't.When he was president and doubled as petroleum minister for 8yrs,he didn't deem it fit to restore lost glory to the country.Only his psycophants'll say otherwise as alluded to by his daughter.Until we make people like him and Ibb pay for their countless atrocities,we'd always be in this mess.He and his colleagues remain the worst enemies of a progressive Nigeria!
DeleteFor the idiots that'll come and spew rubbish under my comment citing GSM as one of his achievements,it may interest you to know that as far back as 1991,long before the advent of 090;I used a mobile phone given to my dad in this country before he refused it and sent it back to the sender(who I believe was Ibb)
Truth is bitter
DeleteI wonder! He was not better! Now, his eyes have cleared! Mschewww.
DeleteWell said Obj + i also need a job o!!
ReplyDeleteLag based sdk bloggers help a broda
any job!!! Any kinda job !!
#youngelder
JESUS § HMMMMMMMM UNDER HIS NKO . FEMER TA BOUCHE .
ReplyDeleteOk o!
ReplyDeleteOk o!
ReplyDeleteActually this government has been the worse in the history of Nigeria, everything has been worse under GEJ administration. I feel for our country, what will tomorrow bring?
ReplyDeleteYour comment will be visible after approval
*worst*
DeleteYour comment will be visible after approval
U are so right alloy. This is the worst govt ever, except for those doing businness, all other sectors are nothing to write home about. This administration doesn't listen to the cries of poor masses n I wonder if it will ever change. OBj may not be a gud man but durin his tenure I felt his impact through responsible people I konw, they didn't benefit anything physical cash from him but as civil servants, their sectors were booming but since this admin I thought it wold v improved more than the way obj left it but to my utmost suprise, everything has degenerated to zero level.
DeleteU are so right alloy. This is the worst govt ever, except for those doing businness, all other sectors are nothing to write home about. This administration doesn't listen to the cries of poor masses n I wonder if it will ever change. OBj may not be a gud man but durin his tenure I felt his impact through responsible people I konw, they didn't benefit anything physical cash from him but as civil servants, their sectors were booming but since this admin I thought it wold v improved more than the way obj left it but to my utmost suprise, everything has degenerated to zero level.
DeleteObasanjo please shut the f up!
ReplyDeleteNot like I'm a Jonathan supporter, but the state of the nation (Terrorism, Poverty and etc) is a result of the foundation you laid.
Talk of pot calling kettle black... smh
please OBJ give us a run down of your achievement in all the years you spent in office?
Is it not same corrupt, lying, thieving, deceptive, heartless, careless, greedy, power-hungry politicians that we've had through the years? ??
You are the last person to rate Jonathan's administration, it is the bed you dresed, please lay on it.
I second...
DeleteOBJ of life. see the pot calling the kettle say e black like charcoal. You brought this sorry situation we are presently experiencing upon Nigeria. Thank you for playing the ostrich.
ReplyDeleteThe country is messed up, no doubt, atleast the country was secure in his presidential tenure... about job, myself and about a dozen of my friends are jobless, if not for business that i started since high school, that is what has saved me, thank you mummy for making me business oriented. Will kuku keep trying to get a job. I am rly sad at the state of the country
ReplyDeleteFrom my recent calculation, obj is far better than Jonathan.
DeleteSo many things are wrong with Gej administration and no matter how you look at it,none of our democratically elected presidents have been able to move Nigeria forward!!! What Gej didnt do obj did and what obj didnt do gej did!
ReplyDeleteLemme give few examples: gej gave us free n fair election,obj didnt, gej gave us less tensed political atmosphere and death,obj didnt. Obj gave us robust economy,gej didnt. Obj tackled corruption and didnt habour recklessness and waste,gej did. CitiZens were more secured during obj tenure,gej didnt protect us much. I can continue to list but it will still be repetition of what we have heard b4.
I believe nija problem is wrong social / value system.parents encouraging wards to cheat in exams, arranging special centers for wards,lecturers openly selling handouts to students which guarantees 80% success in exam.what kind of leaders will this crop of children and wards become in future?parents openly giving bribes to enforcement officers even to phcn officers to avoid disconnection!!! So my pple, no matter who they bring to occupy that seat, if he or she fail to see and acknowledge this social menace,we shall continue to complain cos he will not solve nija probs and will only serve as his predecessors did!!
#no1 egba boy #reppin abk city
Lol obasanjo is a comedian he shud hv told us he wants to crack jokes ,we wud understand not this,,
ReplyDeleteYears back, I visited Ajaokuta Steel Company, Kogi State for a school assignment and at a point I bursted into tears. A massive area with gigantic structures, built with billions of dollars is now covered with grass.
ReplyDeleteThe Economic History of Nigeria from the 1970's till now is nothing but a complete failure. We left Agriculture after the discovery of crude oil. Nigeria was the largest palm oil producing country before and shortly after independence, but now Nigeria buys from Malaysia. Cocoa, groundnut, rubber etc no longer exist. We now import everything. It is only in this part of the world that money has refused to solve our problems. Instead, our leaders steal what belongs to the citizens, even to the ones yet unborn. Smh for Nigeria.
* clears throat* As for Baba Iyabo, I am sure he has not forgotten how the Prince of U.A.E seeked for assistance under his military regime in 197.. to develop their country. Obasanjo's response was that "NO... NIGERIA CANNOT INVEST IN A DESERT LAND". But today, our leaders travel to DUBAI for medical treatment and Jollyment. I cover my face on U Olusegun Aremu. Am sure U have been to that Dubai uncountless times abi?.#Senepiayeye.
Our people dey say, NA THE HORSE WEY TAKE LEAD, NAIM THE BACK ONES GO FOLLOW ITS STEPS. So my dear, na una pass the torch to Uncle Jona. I pray for God's intervention. And if by 2015, no changes, na to waka go Western World. Make nobody beg me. Tnx. *shines teeth.
Well said dear, I couldn't hold back my tears wen I went to ajaokuta last week.
DeleteHis son gbenga became a dollar-denominated multi millionaire from d deal dat killed ajaokuta steel coy.
DeleteAccuser of the brethren #InMyMamaVoiz!
ReplyDeleteMake jonathan sef do comot, cos dey are all the same.
E az really failed ppl, the chibok gals mothers are so heartbroken, they av acceptd that their girls are dead, and jonathan shld forget whole ish.
Let God have mercy on dis country, cos we can't handle or manage the numerous problems we are facing.
No Chibok girls was missing jare...
DeleteOBJ is absolutely right...
ReplyDeleteBut truth be told, he paved the way for the current situation. He created and faciltaed the yara Adua/GEJ debacle.
So he please shut up. ALthough he is right o. But he should shut up be cause he made it happen.
Spot on.
DeleteHe single handedly made Jonathan president as he was aware of the health condition oof Yaradua.
Obj should go sit down somewhere and bury his head in shame.
Egwu dikwa!
ReplyDeleteWoes of an old, once significant politician.
ReplyDeleteLamentations of a man that tot he has defiled the law of diminishing returns.
A mockery and caricature of a politician that lacks wealth of morality, of conscience and of history.A disaster to nation building.
Soon GEj will exit and then he will make such a statement.
Poverty is just last on the list , too many death ,just too many ! God please come save this generation.
ReplyDeleteI will always say it...Obasanjo was the best president we have had since this democratic dispensation, he had his flaws yes, but nothing compared to GEJ. well said OBJ.
ReplyDeletePlease Baba Iyabo shoul go an die already please. Y'all have seen a weakling that you can call names anyhow. GEJ did this and that. I am sure it's GEJ's fault that he can't get an errection any more. Was Nigeria better before GEJ started ruling or not. How many Jobs in the US were created my the govt. Small/Medium sized companies make up most of the economy, start something today and stop waiting for GEJ to put food on ur table. Stella is a successful blogger today, that's her Job. Cynthia the dress maker by your street earns better than some bank workers. With education you can take your business a bit further. We are growing in population so GEJ cannot possibly find jobs for us all. Obasanjo sold almost everything we own to incompetent people e.g Dangote. How many companies, schools, churches etc pay Tax. Nigeria cannot be transformed in 3years, its a gradual process. Everybody has to join the bandwagon to insult the president to feel cool. I am in business school in the UK and my lecturers keep telling me that Nigeria is the fastest growing economy in Africa in terms of GDP. If he wasn't doing anything right, that wouldn't have occured. Corruption is not just a GEJ problem, everyone in Nigeria is corrupt. People blame GEJ 4 the security situation in the north like fighting terrorism is akara and moi-moi. Obj was fighting his political opponents in the name of fighting corruption, committed genocide in Odi and Zaki-Ibiam and ruined us with the haliburton and Nicon scam. Gej isn't his pawn any longer and he can't come to terms with it....
ReplyDeleteU are completely deranged and very soon u will enter market wit ur myopic view about Obj.Ebola will soon eat u dry anywhere u are.Ewu
DeleteObj please respect your old age .you have been in government before I was born ,GEJ inherited from you and past presidents ,if you and your fellow colleagues have left good example others will follow .kettle calling pot black. You. Plus GEJ are equals. Failure .
ReplyDeleteTo think PDP E-dogs like stella dimoko korkus and others would always support pdp nd deir useless way of ruling. We need a strong opposition to chase out PDP from power. If APC start to dey counter pdp nw,deir e-dogs will start barking. Pdp is the problem of this country. We need a stronger opposition. Renegade has spoken.
ReplyDeleteTo think PDP E-dogs like stella dimoko korkus and others would always support pdp nd deir useless way of ruling. We need a strong opposition to chase out PDP from power. If APC start to dey counter pdp nw,deir e-dogs will start barking. Pdp is the problem of this country. We need a stronger opposition. Renegade has spoken.
ReplyDeleteObasanjo is not wrong,it's just a case of he dat comes to equity must come in clean hands,of which his hands are nott clean either,so.but what he's saying is more than correct,the hardship in this goodluck regime is too much!there is no money flowing downward so dats y even traders can feel it,money only flows within their circles(GEJ and co),even contracts or big jobs,before its given to u,they will scrutinise and find out widely abt u dat u are not with the opposition,if u are,sorry u will never get dat job even if u are d best man for it!thats why hardship is too much,pple are being deprived,contracts unpaid cos GEJ wants to deprive APC!everyone takes Jona to be weak but he's extremely deep,mean and power drunk!they should take it easy sha oo,just as his wife says there is God oo!
ReplyDeleteYea Yea, they always have the solution to all the problems once they are out of government. #ILOVEGEJ
ReplyDeleteIs he not a PDP member...if he has an inkling of how to sort out the economic n security challenges, he should inform the presidency or bring it to the public domain for discourse. He should learn how to make comments as an elder statesman. Afterall, he was part of the neglect and corruption that has led us to where we are today
ReplyDeleteits so funny when a known bad person points at another bad person saying"eleyi bad gan" BABA IYABO,all I can say to you now is to SHUT THE F**K UP
ReplyDeleteI disagree with you OBJ for reasons being that you are the main source of Nigerian problem you heard the opportunity twice but nothing changed rather under you things went from good to bad nothing worked except looting of our common treasury so please leave GEJ alone and allow him rest.
ReplyDeleteOut of office syndrome. Its all the debts you owe that he is clearing. Its all the mess that you left behind he is cleaning. There is poverty...you've not heard of Ebony rice? And all the improvements in agric sector. Abi he should start sharing money home to home??. True...there is poverty but don't tell me its on the increase in GEJ's administration. It was in your administration that so many lost their jobs. What did your admin..do to reduce poverty? Res ipsa loquitor!.Your administration was WORSE OFF...because money Meant for citizens were siphoned. Ya pained cause he refused to depend on Otta farm...because the turn over in Otta farm is reducing...because GEJ has opened up other routes. Imagine OBj talking...hello kettle...GEJ is pot..
ReplyDeleteDon't mind him, may God help us dat's my only prayer. Obj has no right to judge another person bcos his own was d worst
DeleteI weep for my country everyday! I weep for my generation and generation still to be born!! I weep for our corrupt and evil leaders becos one day monkey go go market eno go return!!!! God must surely arise for us in this country and slay them into piece where the birds of the air will eat their carcass!!! Nwunye Okeke
ReplyDeleteHe should go sit his ass somewhere in ota farm,what difference did he make during his time
ReplyDeleteBetter than ur father
DeleteSee who is talking, where you not the past president. GEJ is busy picking up your pieces.
ReplyDeleteObasanjo should please stop ridiculing himself. People that live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Tomorrow, maybe it's his grand son or great grand daughter that will write him an open letter to put him in his place.
ReplyDeleteObj has his short comings but no matter how he see it,he is still the best president that has ever ruled Nigeria in the past 45years. You can read my past comment about past presidents score card weeks ago I mentioned Obj's achievements. He regret putting up Yar Adua and Jonathan, that am very sure because he was thinking the clueless Yar Adua and clueless Jonathan will follow his steps but he's shocked they destroyed all he worked for. Obj left more than 16 billion in treasury,now we are back in debt to the tune of almost 10billion. The suffering coming out of this administration is too much,I don't even feel the effect of a leader in our country at all. I should have wished the military to take over but they are worst with looting so which way Nigeria? No hope for the youths but nowadays I don't feel sorry for the youths because they don't care about their future everyone is interested in supporting a leader because he is from certain tribe so let the suffering continue until we change our mindset.
ReplyDeleteJay,r u related to Eric?
DeleteHahahah eric moore lwkmd
DeleteBad leadership. Greedy leaders. Old hags.
ReplyDeleteI said i must comment on dis, wat did he do during his tenor? Nothing, all dis politicians are criminal with license who can do as der want n still call odas thieves. See him dat stole all d moni sold NEPA n bought it den changed d name. Yoruba thief get mind to insult who e put maybe d moni wey dem agree on as en own share no reach en hand as planned dat's y his saying nonsense. President Jonathan is 100 tims beta dan him n will still be beta. Oloshiii may God help all d politicians. T
ReplyDelete