Group to Obasanjo@79: Ensure our leaders spend nation’s resources judiciously

A group of Nigerians in USA and Canada has called on Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria’s former president to always demand from political office holders quality representations and judicious spending of the nation’s resources.

The group under the umbrella of Egba National Association USA and Canada (ENA) made the plea in a congratulatory letter to mark Obasanjo’s 79th birthday.

The letter entitled “Congratulations to our dear Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at 79” and dated March 4, 2016 was signed by the ENA National Chairman, Alhaji Bola Ameen and Secretary-General, Mr. Babatunde Rahman Solabi.

According to the letter, “Sir, it is our passionate plea, also, that considering your high profile among the comity of ex-rulers not only in Nigeria, but the entire world that you would regularly demand from our political office holders good and quality representations, judicious spending of our resources and adequate accountability in ensuring socio-economic and political developments in Nigeria.

“Advise our leaders to act rightly by enacting bills and implementing policies that would specifically lead to the growth of agriculture, mining, establishment of cottage industries to stimulate economic activities and job creation, while also not forgetting the need to promote peace and ensure adequate security.”

While congratulating the former president on his birthday, the fellow indigenes from Egba and Yewa in US and Canada said that Obasanjo should use the remaining period of his life to serve God and ensure the development of his home state, Ogun, the country and the world.

“However, we want to use this praiseworthy birthday to urge you to continue to devote the rest of your life to the development of Ogun, Nigeria and indeed not only the Black race but the entire continents of the world, and to worship your God, who preserved your life till this joyous day,” they said.

They added: “Our highly revered Ebora Owu, we equally appeal to you to urge our politicians to focus more on issues rather than personalities, eschew violence, political acrimony, and conduct themselves peacefully and judiciously in ways that show they are our true representatives who care for our utmost interest and that of Nigeria.”

According to the diasporan indigenes of Ogun State, they were happy to identify with Obasanjo as his 79th birthday “gladdens our hearts in the diaspora in Canada and US, considering the significance of this age, just a year to your octogenarian milestone.”

They stressed: “Without doubt, we unreservedly identify with you on this joyous occasion and pray that God Almighty in His infinite mercies will continue to give you good health, long life and prosperity, abundant and Solomon’s sagacity in your giant, historic and unparalleled contributions to Egbaland, Ogun State, Nigeria and indeed Africa and the world at large.

“Our own dear Balogun of Owu, we are, indeed, equally glad to congratulate you, and your entire family, on this special and memorable occasion due to the meteoric development witnessed, and we are still witnessing, in Nigeria due to your unalloyed contributions in and out of office as former President of our great country, Nigeria.”