Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said his experience in government has revealed that Nigeria is a complex country.
Obasanjo, however, noted that the nation is not difficult to rule.
The former President spoke while commissioning a VIP Lodge completed by Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Osun State Government House in Osogbo, on Sunday.
“Many people used to say something about Nigeria and you can say that about any state. With my experience, Nigeria is a complex country but Nigeria is not a difficult country to rule, maybe one can also say the same that Osun State is a complex state but Osun State is not a difficult state to rule. You have to be honest with your conscience, with the people and with your God. You have to be a man of character and attribute that everybody will see that Ademola Adeleke, when he sees an opportunity to dance, he would dance but he is a man of integrity, honesty and hard work, it is very important. When light comes, darkness vanishes,” he said.
Addressing Adeleke, Obasanjo lauded the governor for his achievements since his inception, describing him as a dancing performing governor.
He said Nigeria would not be difficult to govern once there are men and women of character, integrity, honesty and hard work.
Obasanjo encouraged Adeleke not to relent in his efforts at transforming Osun, and commended him for completing abandoned projects in the state.
Commenting on the governor’s dancing habit, Obasanjo said, “Some people once despise you (Adeleke) that you are a dancer but I said only happy people dance, you are my dancing partner.
“What I have heard and seen since three days ago that I have been here, Ii there is doubt in anybody that you are working, call the person to come and see.
“If you remember that at one time I phoned you, I said don’t leave dancing but as you are dancing, ensure you are working.”
He further told the governor whom he had danced with while making his remarks that, “If I say that I don’t know what happened before you get to government, it is a lie. But you did something last Sunday, by calling the leaders of your party, it was my party but I am not participating in party politics again. I am happy that he called them for deliberation. Senator Olu Alabi is here, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola… we should bring everyone on board; it is the best. I have talked to two out of three of them; it is a good move which is not only good for the party but for the state and the country.
“You said government is a continuum in your word and that all the abandoned projects you are working on, God will make it good for you. Anywhere we meet, we would dance and rejoice, if anybody wants to abuse us they should go ahead.”
Advising the governor to set his priorities right, Obasanjo stated, “In projects to handle, there is no end to it but you have to prioritize within priorities, I am happy that you are taking them one after the other. But let them know that you tried your best because there are records that eyes would see and mouth will say. You are working on roads, don’t joke with it because when we make necessary provision for the people to have jobs and they will work.
“Many people want to work but what is impeding that is the road to ply. When we provide the wherewithal for them they would work. I will plead with you to continue with that.”
In his remarks, Governor Adeleke said the commissioning of the VIP Lodge is proving that government is a continuum and that it is a demonstration of his administration’s efforts of salvaging public funds and assets from waste.
While enumerating some of the abandoned projects his administration inherited and had completed and still working on, Adeleke said, “I am of the firm belief that we should never politicize public infrastructure. Political affiliation should never drive what project is completed or abandoned. This VIP Lodge project was started by an APC government, abandoned by an APC government but now completed by a PDP government. We are setting the standard for best practice.”
