Nigeria needs more “rebels”, says Obasanjo

The former president believes the country needs more truthful individuals in power.

Former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that Nigeria needs “more rebels” that are bold to speak the truth to the power.

Obasanjo said that the country needs people who would look at things straight and speak the truth without minding the consequences.

The ex-president said this on Saturday while unveiling the autobiography of the Babanla Adinni of Egbaland, Chief Tayo Sowunmi, titled “Footprints of a Rebel.”

Chief Sowunmi’s autobiography was unveiled as part of the celebrations of his 80th birthday and while Obasanjo gave a speech, he took that time to talk about what it takes to be a rebel.

“Looking at the title of the book, I ask myself, why would someone call himself a rebel. But it is good,” he said.

“But the truth is that if you have to leave a life of honesty and integrity, you have to become a rebel.

“There would be some time you would be asked have to do something, but you would say no, this is not right. And when you say that you will become a rebel. You may even become a persona non grata.

“Our country, there is no country that we can call our own except Nigeria. Our country, Nigeria, needs more rebels. Those who would look at things straight in the face and say ‘this is not right, this, I will not be part of, this is not good for Nigeria.”

Also speaking at the ceremony was the Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare. While giving his speech, the pastor called for intergenerational reintegration between elders and the younger generations.

According to him, this would help rebuild Nigeria as he made emphasis on the older generation refusing to leave the stage for younger generations to take up the leadership mantle.