Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo: The Mandela Example.

[NNadir]

I must admit that I pay too little attention to events in Africa.

Here is something, finally, encouraging.

LONDON - Saying two terms is enough, Nigeria's president said Saturday that trying to uproot the corruption entangling Africa's biggest oil-exporting nation and making strides to transform the economy were the main challenges during his seven years in power.

In a wide-ranging interview in London, President Olusegun Obasanjo also spoke of efforts to calm Nigeria's south, where militants are battling the government for control of the area's oil wealth. He said he is addressing the need for jobs and cracking down on "criminality" there.

A strong campaign by Obasanjo's supporters to amend the constitution to enable him to run for a third term was defeated in parliament last month. Backers argued he needed more time to complete reforms, but opponents said an extension would undermine democracy on a continent where many leaders have entrenched themselves as dictators for life.

During the debate, Obasanjo never discussed whether he wanted to run again, but said Saturday: "When I took this job, I took it on the basis of the constitution..."

...In April, Nigeria became the first country in Africa to pay off its debts to the Paris Club, an informal group of creditor nations, freeing up cash for investing at home. Nigeria worked off $30 billion in Paris Club debts through cancellation grants and buybacks.

Obasanjo said he was surprised when he first took office by how pervasive corruption is in his homeland, affecting all aspects of life.





More at link:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060617/ap_on_re_af/nigerian_president

It seems to me that no leader in a fledling democracy - and we must include the United States here, does so much as when he or she decides to leave office in accordance with the rule of law.

This is a really encouraging development in African history, and once again, I think it is time to recognize the tremendous human being Nelson Mandela, whose example to African history and to human history in general will shine among the most luminary leaders.

I wish Obasanjo a happy and fulfilled retirement. May Nigeria profit from the chance he is giving his country by respecting a rule of law.
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[BayCityProgressive]

1. I agree

I was pleased to hear this!