Former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has bemoaned the current State of Nigeria , saying the situation of the country leaves so much to be desired.
He, however, said he is forever optimistic that things will change for good, adding that Nigeria would become a great country in his lifetime.
He spoke in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during a public lecture and book presentation to mark his 88th birthday.
“On ‘Nigeria past and future’, it is for us to see where we have all gone wrong without any exception as a group. And then, is there a way out and if there is a way out, what’s the way out? If we know the way out, how do we get there? And what should we do?
“But for me, I am an incurable optimistist about Nigeria. Yes, the situation is bad , no doubt. But I believe that in my lifetime, we will have Nigeria that will be all proud of.”
Obasanjo also touch on colonialism, adding that Africa must free itself from the effect of colonialism for the continent to attain its desired growth and development.
“The (guest) lecturer made us to realise that part of our problem is what I may call the residue of slavery, slave trade, and colonialism. And until we can break ourselves completely out of it, we will not be able to make much progress as we should,” Obasanjo said.
The former President noted that Africa is still battling the effects of colonialism and slave trade, spanning about two centuries.
