USA Africa Dialogue Series - Notes on the Farmer ,Olusegun Obasanjo

Obasanjo: cultivating soil and mind; cultivating talent and friendship; cultivating peace.
Obasanjo is highly revered by many including those who say they belong to the Obasanjo school of Politics. He has been called "Foremost authority" and "Oracle" as it pertains to Nigeria and how Africa interacts with herself and with the rest of the world. He is atimes almost deified
In a world where we are told "If there are no sinners there would be no saints" Obasanjo has been accused of being a sinner. Almost crucified. He has been a target for humiliation much against the advice of the ancients of his country that you do not humiliate a courageous man. Nigerians have been enjoined to forget the messenger but study the message
A torch bearer of 1.2 billion Africans and blacks worldwide, Obasanjo is gracefully courted abroad and severally hosted by iconic leaders, world leaders who he may even interact with on first name basis .
An astute political communicator, now followed by the masses of readers of Nigerians newspapers, Obasanjo, sitting on his presidential throne, had quite rhetorically questioned the use of such disciplines of sociology and mass communication. His country Nigeria is now plagued by an interplay of sociology and economics. There are several youths and adults not in education, employment or training. Obasanjo had said then, that it is not the business of government to create jobs whilst admitting that there were millions of people unemployed. That business had been outsourced to entrepreneurs who as we know like to change the world. That business was also sorely outsourced to business men who strive to maintain the status quo.
On a significant Birthday, Obasanjo was seen as a Team Player complete with professional Jersey but his real sport is squash racquets, a dual sport which psychologists could use to reveal his style of leadership. Obasanjo affirmed that he needn't take advice from his advisers; infact he was reported to have lectured them sometimes. He kept the Oil portfolio to himself and practically usurped the functions of the foreign affairs minister in his days as President.
Going by the words of Wangari Matthai, Enviromentalist and Nobel Peace prize winner, Obasanjo, a Farmer and Avid Reader, is the Archetype person cultivating soil and Mind. But Obasanjo cultivates not only Soil and mind. He cultivates Talent and friendship and he cultivates Peace.

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