Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday, recalled how late former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter stuck out his neck to save his life by seeking his release from prison under the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
He also reflected on the similarities he shared with the late Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States, during a funeral service held in Carter’s honour at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King in Abeokuta.
Obasanjo, joined by his family, friends, and associates, paid tribute to Carter, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.
The service was held to celebrate the life and selfless service of Carter, particularly his work through the ‘Carter Centre’.
In his tribute, titled ‘Jimmy Carter: The Departure Of A Titan’, Obasanjo highlighted several commonalities between his life and Carter’s, emphasizing their shared early experiences.
“In terms of early life background, I shared similarity with President Jimmy Carter,” Obasanjo stated.
He continued, “He was born into a farming family in Plains, Georgia, and I was born into a farming family in the rural village of Ibogun-Olaogun in Ogun.”
Obasanjo noted that both men were raised by disciplinarian parents who instilled values such as morality, hard work, integrity, kindness, humility, and compassion for the poor.
“My parents inculcated similar attributes in me as I was growing up in a rural area that had no pipe water, no electricity just as it was in Plains, Georgia, while Carter was growing there,” he explained.
However, Obasanjo humorously pointed out a difference, adding, “He beat me, though, in one respect, there was a road to his settlement, there was no road to my village. We walked to every place or, at best, we were carried on bicycles.”
Obasanjo also noted their shared military background, recalling their meeting when he served as Nigeria’s military Head of State.
“President Carter had a military background which I had, and in fact, we met when I was a military Head of State. But if not that we were both in politics, our paths may not have crossed,” Obasanjo said.
Reflecting on the loss, Obasanjo said, “I will miss Carter, a great and true friend, but I know we shall meet again in paradise.”
Obasanjo further explained that despite Carter’s distance of nearly 5,000 miles, his memorial service was a tribute to a world leader of remarkable integrity and compassion.
“He was a righteous man whose righteousness spread over the whole world,” Obasanjo remarked. “He was a lover of humanity, a man of God; and he was a great and true friend of mine.”
Obasanjo also recalled how Carter played a pivotal role in advocating for his release from prison under the regime of the late General Abacha.
“Carter stuck out his neck to save my life by seeking my release from prison,” he said.
During the sermon, Rev. Israel Akanji, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, spoke of Carter’s unwavering humility and compassion, which remained with him throughout his life.
“Carter believed in the philosophy of ‘What is mine is yours if you need’,” Akanji said, urging leaders to be compassionate and proactive in addressing the welfare of their people. (NAN)
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