‘We Messed Up What God Gave Us As A Country’–Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has opened up on how the country has messed up God’s given resources.
Speaking to high- profile prominent leaders who had gathered to promote unity and prosperity on Sunday at the 40th-anniversary celebration of the Methodist Church Nigeria in Abuja, said God did not create Nigeria to be a basket case.
Using an illustrative joke Obasanjo stated that God really endowed Nigeria with abundance mineral resources but unfortunately is being misused, thereby emphasizing the need for Nigerians to take collective responsibility for the country’s development.
Present at the event include, Nigerian leaders, such as, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Goodluck Jonathan, and former Head of State Yakubu Gowon among others.
Obasanjo said, “I believe God has not created Nigeria to be a basket case. No, God has given us all that we need. I tell the joke about God creating Africa, and when He got to Nigeria, He put two rivers, the Benue and the Niger.
“There aren’t many countries where God did that. He enriched the soil with oil, tin, and other minerals, and along the coast, He placed beautiful beaches and plenty of fish. Then, Archangel Michael said to God, ‘You’re doing too much here,’ and God laughed and replied, ‘Don’t worry! You will see the people of this country. They will mess it all up.’ So, what God has given us, we have messed up. It’s not God’s fault.
“When we were planning Abuja, we invited a Japanese group to develop the master plan. They advised that Abuja should be limited to a population of 3 million, which we accepted. After their presentation, I was worried it seemed too artificial. I told the leader of the Japanese group that I didn’t want a city where I couldn’t buy suya and boli.
“After explaining these to him, he assured me that they would be incorporated. Today, Abuja has a population of almost 5 million, exceeding the 3 million limit, and I can still buy suya and boli.
“Abuja itself will celebrate its 50th anniversary in two years, and we will all be there. I pray that your church will continue to grow from strength to strength and that God, who made you the first church in Nigeria, will continue to place you at the forefront of Christianity and the spread of the Gospel.”
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