News

“Why I Travelled To 97 Countries” – Obasanjo reveals

“Why I Travelled To 97 Countries” – Obasanjo reveals

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday said he visited 97 countries trips during his tenure as president between 1999 and 2007.

He said the trips were largely aimed at repairing the country’s poor image following years of brutal military regimes.

Mr. Obasanjo was widely condemned for spending huge resources on frequent foreign trips.

But the former leader said in a speech on Monday at Oxford University that the trips brought significant economic benefits to the country.

“I was elected as President of Nigeria in February of 1999 and was inaugurated as president in May 1999, when Nigeria was a pariah nation.

“Everywhere people had poor opinion about us. We were scorned at and viewed as a liability in the comity of nations,” he said.

“The situation demanded that I worked to stave off that perception. As a country under political transformation, I applied myself scrupulously to the task at hand.

“For the eight years that I served, I reached out to world leaders and continue to do so beyond my presidency. That was termed shuttle diplomacy in governance.

“I travelled extensively, canvassing global understanding and our mainstreaming into the New World Order – not only for Nigeria, but for the whole of Africa. By the time I finished my two-terms, I had travelled to 97 countries,” Mr. Obasanjo said.

Tags: obasanjo

Recent Posts

BREAKING: NYSC Summons Corps Member Over Viral TikTok Video Criticizing Tinubu

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has summoned Ushie Rita Uguamaye, a corps member serving in Lagos State, following her… Read More

5 hours ago

Annie Idibia Reportedly Walks Out Of Rehab Amid Marriage Crisis With 2Baba

Nigerian actress Annie Idibia has reportedly left the rehabilitation center where she had sought refuge following the devastating collapse of… Read More

6 hours ago

“Asake my son has sorted my hospital bills and promised to buy me a house in Lagos Island” – Mr Odunsi, Confirms Reconciliation

Mr. Fatai Odunsi, father of popular Nigerian singer Asake, has revealed that the artist has promised to settle his hospital… Read More

6 hours ago

“I Supported Him Through School, spent all my money on him Only for Him to Leave Me” – Asake’s Babymama, Adijat Ajoke

Adijat Ajoke, the woman claiming to have an 11-year-old daughter, Zeenat, for Nigerian singer Ahmed Ololade, aka Asake, has finally… Read More

6 hours ago

Nigerian Medical Scientist Heartbroken as Fiancé Calls Off Wedding Over sudden ‘Genotype Change’

A Nigerian medical laboratory scientist, identified as Peace, has been left devastated after her fiancé abruptly canceled their wedding just… Read More

8 hours ago

“So, He Has a Wife and Children” – Beautiful Pictures of Actor Uzor Arukwe Family Surface Online

Nollywood actor Uzor Arukwe has been making waves with his standout performance in Omoni Oboli’s romantic drama, Love in Every… Read More

18 hours ago

This website uses cookies.