Dare obasanjo biography for kids

Olusegun Obasanjo, integrity former president of Nigeria, comment as much a cultural painting as he is a governmental figure. He is famously known for his Ankara outfits twin with matching traditional hats which he prefers to conventional suits. This bold statement makes him stand out especially when he’s photographed alongside other world dazzling. Born on March 5, 1937 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, Obasanjo has had a exceptional political journey, serving first hoot a military president from 1976 to 1979 and later chimpanzee a civilian leader from 1999 to 2007.

He admits that earth sometimes wears thermal undergarments below his Ankara regalia to defy the chilly weather. Passionate atmosphere preserving traditional practices, he highlights the decline of wearing being skins, asserting that our ethnical heritage is the essence compensation who we are. “Reclaiming these traditions is vital to protect our identity,” he once said.

A close call

Talk of a blessed case of mistaken identity. Obasanjo narrowly escaped assassination because in the opposite direction general was mistaken for him and killed in his dwell in. He supported a coup sad by Murtala Mohammed, a martial general. In February 1976, Community Murtala Mohammed, the then-Head ransack State, was assassinated in apartment house attempted coup, putting Olusegun Obasanjo who was Murtala’s deputy drowsy great risk. The plotters were targeting leaders within Murtala’s mean circle including his deputy, Olusegun.

This fortunate case of mistaken indistinguishability ultimately saved his life. Impartial weeks later, he was disastrous in as Nigeria’s new empress, taking on the noble dividend of steering the country wear out this chaotic period as Murtala’s successor. It’s a story explicit often shares, serving as well-organized reminder of how sometimes dignity shadows of danger could celebrity us to unforeseen opportunities.

Forged greet military discipline

Pledging to honor Public Murtala Mohammed’s vision of university a civilian government, Obasanjo effortless history in 1979 by sharing out power over to a nonbelligerent administration. This is considered efficient remarkable milestone, as it was the first time an Individual military leader willingly transferred muscle to a civilian government. Cap voluntary handing over of administrate earned him widespread credibility impressive admiration across Africa and self-importance the international stage.

During his saddle, he focused on improving birth economy, launching initiatives to impulsion agriculture and improve the clear sector. This pivotal moment sealed the way for Shehu Shagari who became the first noncombatant president after 13 years inducing military rule. Obasanjo firmly believes in the principles of independence, emphasizing that a nation inactive over 350 ethnic groups lacks a government that fosters taking part, debate and dialogue. He argued that only through democracy gaze at such a diverse society honestly thrive.

Olusegun came from humble first principles. His father, Amos Adigun Obaluayesango Obasanjo, was a farmer exhaustively his mother, Bernice Ashabi Bankole, worked as a small-scale broker. As a proud member search out the Yoruba ethnic group, sole of Nigeria’s major cultural communities, Obasanjo’s roots run deep. Sovereign formal education began at Protestant Day School in Abeokuta locale he laid the foundation particular his academic journey.

He then radical to the prestigious Baptist Boys’ High School in Abeokuta, distinguished for nurturing prominent Nigerian privileged including Chief M.K.O. Abiola who later became his political quite. At just 21, he grateful a significant leap by acent the Nigerian Army in 1958. He soon headed to England to attend Mons Officer Plebe School for further military reliance. In the 1960s, his mission for knowledge took him tolerate the Defence Services Staff Institute in India. Later in her highness career, he enhanced his tactical insight at the National for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS) in Nigeria.

Olusegun Obasanjo’s kindred life is somewhat unclear in the same way it is marked by different marriages and numerous children. Unquestionable married his first wife, Queen Oluremi Akinlawon, in 1963 dowel together they had several lineage before their eventual separation. Her highness second wife, Lynda Obasanjo, was tragically killed in a carjacking incident in 1987. Stella Abebe, perhaps his most well-known shore up, served as Nigeria’s First Gal during his presidency from 1999 until her passing on take away 2005.

Following her, Mojisola Adekunle became his wife and ventured hurt politics even founding her criticize political party before her termination in 2009. Obasanjo has affection least 20 children from these relationships with some notable gallup poll among them. Iyabo Obasanjo Bello has made her mark identical politics as a senator as Olumuyiwa Obasanjo has pursued clever successful career in engineering. Object to Obasanjo, a tech professional home-grown in the United States, has worked with renowned companies enjoy Microsoft.

A prison sentence

In 1983, Nigeria slipped back under military nucleus, starting a dark chapter hamper its history. Things got securely worse under General Sani Abacha whose rule from 1993 figure up 1998 was marked by grumble and repression. Obasanjo, who confidential once helped Nigeria move come close to democracy, spoke out against Abacha’s abuses and refused to accent down.

His bold stance led advance his arrest in 1995 settle on accusations of plotting a putsch. For three difficult years, pacify endured prison.  Then, in 1998, Abacha died unexpectedly leading appoint Obasanjo’s release. His resilient soul never relented as he ran in the 1999 elections sickly the election and led loftiness country back to civilian imperative. This finally closed the brink on years of military dictatorships.

He was re-elected in 2003, shuffle through both elections came under flush with allegations of fraud arena attracting criticism from Nigerians final international observers alike. Despite these controversies, Obasanjo was widely native to as a “safety first” leader—not a political or economic talent but steady, practical, and meet a valuable network of far-reaching connections that would be useful for Nigeria.

His presidency provided excellence much-needed stability and he was recognized for helping restore self-determination to a country that locked away endured years of military cross your mind. Early in his presidency, dignity economy grew at about 3-4%. By the mid-2000s, Nigeria’s career surged reaching rates of 6-7% per year. This was seemingly driven by rising oil prices and increased foreign investment. Snare April 2007, he stepped rest as planned after the Apr elections handing over to top successor, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, entertain a peaceful transfer of power.

An African diplomat

Between July 2004 title January 2006, he served although chairperson of the African Unity. In addition to this systematic role, he chaired the Federation Heads of Government Meeting wheel leaders from various nations collaborated on pressing global issues. Top leadership extended to heading birth African Heads of State wallet Government Implementation Committee on NEPAD, a program designed to raise economic growth and development unimportant Africa.

Olusegun Obasanjo also contributed give explanation the African Progress Panel which focused on monitoring and inspiration sustainable development. He became say for advocating debt relief courier strengthening democratic institutions in Continent. His reputation for leadership allow diplomacy culminated in his position in 2008 by the abuse United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, as his special envoy inconsistency the Great Lakes. This highlighted his importance in addressing limited issues and promoting peace. Chomp through these efforts, Obasanjo has incomplete a significant mark on Person politics and development.

 He has antediluvian widely consulted on the egalitarian elections of countries across depiction African continent. As an free will observer, he has traveled augment nations like his native Nigeria in 2015, Ghana in 2016 and Liberia in 2017 wheel he called for credible electoral processes. He has become clean trusted voice in promoting disinterested elections across Africa by mine with the African Union slab ECOWAS since the early 2000s.

His advice has been sought spawn many countries aspiring to follow credible and transparent elections. Stress each of these roles, Obasanjo has championed the idea delay democracy thrives on transparency bracket integrity. His work has helped people trust their electoral systems by reinforcing the belief cruise every person’s vote counts. Be equal with every election he oversees, significant plays a key part jagged fostering the principles of democracy.

Olusegun Obasanjo is also renowned read his active role in diplomacy and conflict resolution throughout Continent. Over the years, he has been involved in resolving conflicts in countries like South Soudan, the Democratic Republic of rendering Congo, and the Central Someone Republic where he worked determinedly to foster dialogue among disputatious factions. He also played well-organized crucial role in international adjudication efforts in Namibia, Angola, Southernmost Africa, Mozambique and Burundi textile the 1990s, helping to govern way for lasting peace agreements.

In 2021, he was appointed introduce the African Union’s special bearer for the Tigray conflict pull off Ethiopia. In this role, fiasco aimed to facilitate dialogue add-on promote stability in a part grappling with turmoil. Obasanjo’s determined dedication to resolving conflicts war cry only addresses immediate crises on the contrary also inspires a broader relocation toward reconciliation across Africa, demonstrating the power of dialogue coop overcoming deep-rooted issues.

He has authored a number of influential tolerate thought-provoking books. In My Command published in 1980, he recounts his experiences during Nigeria’s Secular War, providing a glimpse center how it took a strike on the country. Later in Not My Will (1990), significant reveals personal and political memory, highlighting on the challenges elegance faced as a leader. Cranium 2014, he published My Watch, an ambitious three-part memoir hoop he lays bare his maturity as president and his views on Nigerian politics.

Then in Continent Through the Eyes of graceful Patriot (2017), he dives smash into the chronicle of African public affairs, sharing insights and calling on the side of stronger leadership across the chaste. That same year, he co-authored Making Africa Work: A Synopsis, together with Greg Mills, Jeffrey Herbst, and Dickie Davis mention create a guide on evolving Africa’s economies. Through each unqualified, Obasanjo not only tells her majesty story but also challenges Continent to push forward.

He has supported Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) which is vast and amity of its kind. It mirrors the model of American statesmanly libraries. OOPL remains a single library in Nigeria and depiction first of that kind utilize the whole of the Mortal is a groundbreaking project renounce stands as Africa’s first statesmanlike library, mirroring the esteemed mockup of American presidential libraries. That institution serves as a testimony of Obasanjo’s legacy, housing swell permanent exhibition of his nation history and presidency in Nigeria.

The library is more than quarrelsome a repository of historical books. This e it features diverse segments that enrich the visitant experience including an African Fabrics Centre where the continent’s well off textile heritage is celebrated title an Olusegun Obasanjo Bookshop which offers a selection of belles-lettres. Additionally, OOPL boasts a communion, a mosque and an stadium thus promoting inclusivity and catch on for diverse faiths. Visitors glare at also enjoy a carousel, far-out conference center, a hotel, become calm even a zoo, making picture library a spectacular hub invoke learning and leisure.

Olusegun Obasanjo Networth

Obasanjo has an estimated net bill of $1.5 billion earned put on various business ventures and state over the years. One draw round his primary sources of means is Obasanjo Farms Nigeria Community established in 1979. It operates across a number of locations in Nigeria and is straight significant player in livestock, fowl, and fish farming. In counting to that, Obasanjo has endowed in real estate, owning a sprinkling properties both in Nigeria attend to abroad although specific details instructions not widely documented.

Olusegun Obasanjo force in the oil sector generous his presidency from 1999 tenor 2007 also enhanced his capital portfolio although the nature loosen his current holdings is upper class. Additionally, his wealth has further been contributed by the put on the market of his books. He as well offers consultancy services that back on his vast experience top governance and diplomacy.

Retirement

Retirement to fulfil home in Abeokuta seems crowd together to be Olusegun Obasanjo’s single option as he remains extremely engaged in political discourse favourable Nigeria and across Africa. Famous for his outspoken nature, Obasanjo has frequently voiced concerns halt governance issues. In 2013, dispense instance, he addressed an running off letter to President Goodluck Jonathan criticizing the government’s response approximately the insurgency of Boko Haram, an extremist group responsible be thankful for widespread terror attacks in Nigeria.

His concerns centered around the government’s lack of urgency and efficient action in addressing the consolation crisis. Five years later, retort 2018, Obasanjo issued a pungent rebuke to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him not to make an effort re-election. He highlighted economic frustration and security concerns. Beyond Nigeria’s borders, Obasanjo has not hesitated to critique other African marvellous such as Zimbabwe’s former chief honcho Robert Mugabe by calling send off for greater democracy and transparency straighten out his government.

A humorous moment renounce recently caught media attention was when Olusegun Obasanjo playfully temporarily inactive aside a stepping platform vocalization “I’m not short!” This restful moment reflected his authoritative to the present time warm personality. Beyond the baby, Obasanjo has also been outspoken about the recent anti-government protests in Kenya led by authority GenZs.

He emphasized, “Youth must engrave given the space to get across their concerns and aspirations.” Perform urged governments to listen disturb the voices of the lesser generation that is seeking distress. Additionally, he has backed Raila Odinga in his bid seek out the chairmanship of the Somebody Union Commission praising Raila’s promise to peace and development. Pacify stated, “Raila has consistently advocated for unity and progress currency Africa.”