A career soldier, Obasanjo became Nigeria military head of state between
1976 and 1979. He handed over to a democratically elected regime of
AlhajiShehuShagariin 1979, thus becoming the first military ruler to
willingly hand over power at a time when military rule was still in
fashion in Africa.After spending over three years in prison for his
alleged part in planning a phantom coup against the then military junta,
Obasanjo ran for the presidency of Nigeria in 1999 as the candidate for
The People’s Democratic Party – and won. He served two terms as
president of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, leaving office in
2007.In retirement, Chief Obasanjo keeps himself busy with a flourishing
farming business and still finds time to act as an UN envoy, and play
an active part in the African Leadership Forum, the not-for-profit
organisation designed to help improve the quality of leadership in
Africa while at the same time helping to train the next generation of
leaders for the continent.Obasanjo met with MTV Base VJ Vanessa Mdee and a group of ambitious and passionate young people at his home in Abeokuta in Ogun State, Nigeria in June 2012 as part of the MTV Base Meets…with MTN mentorship and youth empowerment initiative, which connects thought leaders and influencers with young people.
Chief Obasanjo also speaks about his support for the democratic
process, saying, “There’s no better form of government. Democracy
has…its problems, [but] it’s still the form of government that allows
for participation by the people, consultation, dialogue – even
protests…. It’s the form of government that makes you to be able to
call your own leaders to order. Now, positive protest is part and
parcel of democracy and when I say positive what I mean as much as
possible non-violent…It should be the responsibility of all us to make
democracy strong: to deepen it and weld it into this country. Because
we have no alternative – that is why I always cry against those things
that will militate against democracy.”““You must make up your mind what you want out of life. That thing that you have chosen, you must never give up. Whatever your hands and your head find to do: do it with all your might!” Chief Obasanjo concludes.
Other topics to be covered by Chief Obasanjo include the value of education, pivotal moments in his life, the joy he found during his time in prison (where he grew maize for all the inmates), and his love of dancing and music – particularly Bob Marley!
Among the seven young people who had the opportunity to meet and interview Chief Obasanjo were Rwandan law graduate and baking entrepreneur Sandrine Kabzanguka (25), 26-year old business graduate and actress Kocabelle Gueminifrom Cameroon, Nigerian oil industry engineer and entertainer Daniel Effiong (28), Nigerian HR manager Ibilola Fabunmi (27), Nigerian internet entrepreneur Michael Ugwu (31), South African schoolgirl and would-be doctor Omolemo Matloga (15) and Liberian high school graduateand wannabe model Sasha Baker (18).
First initiated in 2011, MTV Base Meets…withMTN connects African youth with the thought leaders, opinion formers, decision makers and role models who shape their world. Further influencers still to feature in the current series include Togolese international footballer Emmanuel Adebayor(29 August) and South African politician and activist Winnie Madikizela-Mandela (5 September).
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