former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed optimism in the future of Nigeria, despite the numerous political, social and economic challenges facing the country.    

He was speaking in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital during his 78th birthday celebration, held at the main auditorium of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and organized by the Centre For Human Security, an arm of the presidential library.

Although a birthday celebration, the gathering highlighted some of the challenges facing the country at a lecture on ‘An Agenda for the Developmental Future of Nigeria’ delivered by former Chief of Defense Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd), who put the blames of some of the challenges facing the country on the doorsteps of the political class.

For the former president, poverty and unemployment must be eradicated if Nigeria must get it right. He also called for responsive leadership in the country.

Highpoint of the occasion was the cutting of the birthday cake by the former president joined by Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and his wife, Mrs Olufunso Amosun and other dignitaries.

The event attracted other dignitaries which included former governors of Lagos and Osun states, political allies, family members and well wishers, who all believe that the former president remains a teacher, patriot and elder statesman.