By Yekeen Nurudeen
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has attributed his achievements in life to God and the training he received from the Baptist Church and its schools.
He made this remark on Wednesday in his appreciation and acceptance speech he delivered at the on going annual session of the Nigerian Baptist Convention in Abuja, where he was honoured and celebrated for his contribution to Nigeria and world peace.
His words: “Permit me to confess publicly, as I did at the program put together by the three Lagos Baptist Conferences, that whatever I am today have been by the grace of God and the Baptist training that I was priviledged to have received early in life through the Sunbeam, the Royal Ambassadors, Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta, Sunday School and Church Training.
“I have been guided throughout my public service by these Baptist principles of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, fairness, inclusion, boldness, order, mutual respect, and integrity. I can say I am the better for it today.”
The former President challenged all and sundry not to underestimate the importance of religious training if people want a greater future for their children.
“I therefore urge us to note the importance and influence which the church and its various training programmes are capable of exerting on our children in their formative years.
“We should never take with levity the character-moulding programmes for our young ones which had been enduringly beneficial to us,” he stated.
Speaking further, Obasanjo who spoke through his Chief of Staff, Deacon Victor Durodola, explained the process he followed in helping those who seek his assistance on one thing or the other.
“Let me also say for avoidance of doubt that in all the instances where I was said to have assisted or helped in securing one thing or another, the normal and proper procudures were still followed.
“What happened was that when they came to me, in each case, I contacted those in charge, whike our people made the necessary follow up; and the rest, as they say, is history.”
He urged Nigerians not to cease cooperating with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari in his quest to restore sanity to the polity.
“I am aware that we have challenges as individuals and as a nation; however, we must cooperate with the government in its programmes aimed at poverty reduction, employment generation, fighting corruption and insecurity.”
Earlier in his remark, the President of the Convention who also doubles as the President, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Olasupo Ayokunle, showered encomiums on Obasanjo for his unprecedented contribution to Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.
He tasked other Christians occupying position of influence to emulate him even as he asked Obasanjo not to cease working for God and humanity.