Politics
My prison experience made me a successful president- Obasanjo
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo says his imprisonment by the late military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, was a blessing in disguise as it prepared him for success in office as president.
He said this on Saturday while speaking at the maiden edition of ASIS International, ASIS 206 Lagos Annual Leadership Retreat, held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
The former president said his prison experience “enriched” him and was a major factor which greatly contributed to his achievements as president.
The event was organised by ASIS to fashion out ways of bringing all private security outfits in the country under an umbrella.
He said, “My prison experience enriched me. In fact, it contributed to my performance while I was in office. A leader must learn from every situation.
“Although, nobody wants to go to prison but I was in prison when I started learning and keeping myself occupied. I wrote four books while I was in prison rather than become a moron and doing nothing.
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“But I was sure that the man who kept me in prison will not bring me out and I was as well sure that I will get out of prison. Honestly, the prison experience has enriched my life.”
He expressed his support for a move to review the Act setting up the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to check security threats in the country.
Obasanjo, whose administration in 2005 was instrumental to the transformation of the civil defence from a voluntary organisation to a para-military group, said there was nothing wrong in seeking improvement for the NSCDC, especially in accommodating private security professionals in the country.
He, however, cautioned that such review should be supported by effective monitoring and control, and should have to also go through the National Assembly.
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