One of Nigeria’s former president Olusegun Obasanjo has said that he envies a past Head of State, Yakubu Gowon.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a four-day International Conference of the African Biblical Leadership Initiative, Obasanjo described Gowon as one of the few leaders who are celebrated during their lifetime.
Also comparing Gowon to the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, the former president said Gowon is being recognised and celebrated while he is alive.
He said, “Only a few leaders are appreciated in their lifetime. General (Gowon), I envy you because you are appreciated while still alive. That, too, is the grace of God in your life.
“You are like Winston Churchill. He fought in the night, on the sea, and for the British Empire. In the end, he was unrecognised, called a warmonger, and even voted out of Parliament,” Obasanjo said.
He added that like Jesus Christ, many leaders are not appreciated and many of them died in ways that are unbefitting of a leader.
He added, “So if a leader expects praise, adoration, or admiration from people, he will be sorely disappointed.
“But God takes care of leaders,” he added.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
