Obasanjo defends self over presidential library project

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday in Abeokuta said that the barrage of criticisms against the establishment of his multi-billion naira Presidential Library in the Ogun State capital has continued to inspire him to get the project completed.

Obasanjo, who spoke at a regional forum organised by the Institute for African Culture and International Understanding (IACIU), was of the view that he would bequeath an enduring legacy for humanity through the library.

The forum was held within the library complex and had the theme, “Mapping the diversity and dynamics of African cultural expressions: Implementing a regional protection and promotion agenda.”

The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), which hosts a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Category 2 Institute, received severe criticisms from some Nigerians who faulted the former President’s fund-raising efforts for it while still in office, saying it was at variance with his anti-corruption crusade.

But in his remarks yesterday, Obasanjo expressed delight over the progress of the presidential library project despite the criticisms.

He spoke shortly after former Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola and Director, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan,
Prof. Isaac Albert, had delivered illuminating papers on how to promote African cultural expressions and diversities.

The former president stressed that his library project would enhance research works and advance the frontiers of knowledge for the overall benefit of humanity.

He added: “I believe that gradual by gradual, that’s the way my soldiers will say it, people are now knowing what a presidential library is all about. As time goes on, we will get to know all that it encompasses.

“It is a museum in a way; it is an archive in a way; it is an educational institution in a way; it is an information centre in a way. Those who have criticized it, I think they have only inspired us to get it completed and make it available for use of humanity.”

Obasanjo also stressed the need for Africans to appreciate their culture and project the continent’s cultural diversities to the outside world.
His words: “I am very proud of our culture. I know that it does not matter how much or how well I speak the Queen’s English, there will still be Yoruba accent in it. The only thing you will not be able to criticise is my Yoruba because there will be no English accent in it. And I don’t see any reason why we should be ashamed of our culture”.

In his keynote address, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke, said the revival of the country’s cultural heritage was critical to the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

-Vanguardwp_posts