Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has highlighted several similarities he shared with the late former United States President, Jimmy Carter.
The president shared the similarities during a funeral service held in Carter’s memory on Sunday.
The service, which took place at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King in Abeokuta, was attended by Obasanjo’s family members, friends, and associates.
Tribune Online reports that Carter, who served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981, died on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100. Obasanjo described the late leader as a global icon and a selfless servant of humanity through his contributions via the Carter Centre.
In a tribute titled “Jimmy Carter: The Departure of a Titan,” Obasanjo drew parallels between his life and that of the late Carter.
“In terms of early life background, I shared similarity with President Jimmy Carter. 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 said, noting that both men grew up under strict disciplinarian parents who instilled values such as discipline, morality, hard work, and compassion for the poor.
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He added, “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 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 highlighted their shared military backgrounds and how their political journeys allowed their paths to cross.
“President Carter had a military background which I had and 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,” he said.
The former Nigerian leader described Carter as a righteous and compassionate man. “He was a lover of humanity, a man of God; and he was a great and true friend of mine,” Obasanjo remarked, adding that he would miss Carter but was consoled by the belief that they would meet again in paradise.
Obasanjo also recounted Carter’s efforts to secure his release from prison during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha, underscoring the depth of their friendship.
Rev. Israel Akanji, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, in his sermon, praised Carter’s humility and compassion, urging leaders to emulate his selflessness.
“The late American President did not allow his humble background to leave him till he died,” Akanji said, emphasising the need for leaders to prioritise the welfare of the people.
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