Obasanjo: If we are sensible at all, this is the time to stop squandering Nigeria’s wealth
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo says everybody in Nigeria must resolve to stop squandering the nation’s commonwealth and be ready for sacrifice in 2016.
Obasanjo, who was speaking on Friday in his Christmas message to Nigerians, just after a church service in Abeokuta, Ogun state, said the government had prepared the minds of Nigerians for 2016 by telling them the reality at hand.
He lamented that Nigeria’s fortunes had been squandered in the past, and warned that this must if Nigeria wants to become a “sensible” nation.
“We have had downs in our economy before, we have risen up again, we have made money, we have squandered it, and we must now really, if we are sensible at all – there must be an end to squandering,” he said.
“That is the first thing by everybody. I still believe that there are still areas of government that are not serious enough. To make us feel that what is being said is something that would concern all of us.
“It would be very difficult for the people of this country to see that certain arms of government are living in luxury, while the government is asking the ordinary people to continue to make sacrifice.
“I believe that all arms of governments and the private sector should realise that if we are going to shorten the time of this hardship, if we are going to have any cushioning effects for the ordinary people, then there would have to be sacrifice made by those who have to make more sacrifice.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) monetary policy committee has hinted a recession in a part of 2016, while the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said there would be a change in pump price of petrol.
The National Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) has also said Nigerians would have to pay more for electricity from February 2016.
The president has assured that over time, all these would get better for the good of “ordinary Nigerians”.
For the 2016 budget, N2.3 billion was set aside for former presidents, vice presidents and heads of state, who are 12 in number.
Well said Obj now petrol price is coming down to $20 dollar per barrel. When it was about $150 plus where all the money. It’s PDP that mess up things. I blame the so call dummy Jonathan to allow people to deceived him. Jonathan should be held responsible.
I worry at our collective memory loss as Nigerians. It appears because the opposition came to power the first time, we think only Jonathan is guilty of causing Nigeria’s woes. The so-called APC today comprises more than 70 per cent of former PDP members. Even the core APC cannot all be said to be innocent.
Rather than look at the accumulative damage caused by Nigerian elite to the country since independence, we are looking at just the past six years.
Only God knows what would be revealed, if we are to look into the books conservatively from 1999 till date. We have a lot of corruption scandals predating Jonathan not addressed.
Obasanjo should give us a break from this hypocritical posturing.
I see no reason why we should now be blaming ourselve. The time to blame has passed, its time to think about what to do now that the oil price is so down.
We should all focus on other natural resources that will generate revenue for the nation.
of course we really understood that our country situation is very bad… as a result of previous corrupt governments ! all we need now a sustainable solution!!!
Whose head do you want to use to think in that matter, eee? Nigeria must now go confederation to keep the prodigal son Abuja alife.
For the 2016 budget, N2.3 billion was set aside for former presidents, vice presidents and heads of state, who are 12 in number.
This is so crazy. These guys should not be eligible for more compensation. Not after stealing from the people while in office.
Nigeria wake up. Nigerians wake up a date speak up .
Your comment..just because OBJ had a sour point on GEJ, doesn’t mean OBJ administration had it all good. GEJ had sound economic policies ( pls refer to Soludo assessment and that of other world economic platforms ) they all rated GEJ administration high economic wise! By the way, OBJ brought all these on Nigerians had he not foisted Umaru yara dua and GEJ on Nigerians. Pls forget all the noise about Dasuki gate. Have u ever heard Dasuki made the confessions? Who is talking, who is the judge . Until a court so pronounce that a crime has being committed, its all still remains in the realms of speculation’s. Obama met US economy in tatters. He has being focus getting the job done. I have never heard him, one day, calling on George Bush that he is responsible for the travails of America or calling GB names! Even our neighbour, Ghana, I have never had such altercation between a former president and the incumbent. I am calling on OBJ to stop this his holier than thou attitude. And stop fanning the embers of dis unity in the Country. President Buhari, also should focus on governance and not fall in to this bracket of sadistic past leaders. By focusing on the present than the past! Blaming all the ills of Nigeria on GEJ is simply witch-hunt! If pmb is serious about probing, then , he should extend it to other past administrations also, then Nigerians will take him serious! Its worth noting, that the international community doesn’t share this sentiments with OBJ and Buhari. While, Obj and the current powers that be are busy vilifying GEJ, the outside world are showering him with awards and prestiges . They can differentiate oil inside water!
On ur way to sucess everyone is a suspect until prooven otherwise… No single one clean among them.all our rulers re all thieves they have no plan or agenda to take dis country to d promise land they only full nd look after their pocket…. So my people lets leave argument or suport of one former ruler or d othrers nd look for how to move forward.. Now What next for Nigeria ?