The former President, who said this in Owerri, the Imo State Capital, during the “Imo day of thanksgiving” on Monday, added that he was passionate about the unity and growth of the country.
Obasanjo said, “As a former President, I have what I call residual responsibility for this country. I will continue to work for the unity and progress of Nigeria.”
The ex-President, who charged Nigerians to work for the unity of the country, irrespective of ethnicity or religion, averred that it was biblical to give thanks to God.
He said, “As a former president of Nigeria, where am I in the progress of Nigeria? As a citizen of Imo State, where are you in the progress of Imo State and Nigeria? As a Christian, where are you in the development of the society?”
Also, the President-elect of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, promised that his reign would witness stronger bilateral relationship between his country and Nigeria.
Akufo-Addo, who said he would work to deliver on the mandate given to him by the people of Ghana, asserted that he would be working with Nigeria to develop the West African sub-region and the African continent.
The state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, noted that the essence of the thanksgiving was to lend a helping hand to the less privileged in the society.
“Christmas is the time to remember the less privileged, though the poverty rate in Imo is low, but we shall dramatise love, show love and give love. For me, this life is meaningless and worthless, unless we are able to lend a helping hand to the less privileged,” the governor said.
The governor, who advocated stronger bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Ghana, expressed optimism that Akufo-Addo and President Muhammadu Buhari would work closely for the development of the continent.
While declaring a three-week public holiday for civil servants in the state, starting from December 19 to January 10, to commemorate the Christmas and New Year celebrations, Okorocha suggested that political party affiliation should not hinder the progress of the country.
Meanwhile, Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, said the relationship between his country and Nigeria was important for the two countries, West Africa and Africa.
He said that was why leaders in the two countries must collaborate to address the main concerns of their citizens.
Akufo-Addo spoke with State House correspondents shortly after meeting President Buhari behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President-elect said he was on a private visit to Lagos and he decided to visit Abuja in order to pay his respect to Buhari. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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