Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has lamented that his parents did not live long enough to see him make a headway in life.
He said it was “sad and regrettable” that, despite the sacrifices they made on him, his parents did not live long to be a part of the success story of his life.
He spoke to a gathering of eminent Nigerians and foreigners who came to felicitate him at his 81st birthday held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
He said, “One of the things that I always miss or remember with sadness is that my parents left this world too early and the sacrifices they have made for me, how I wish they have been around to see the fruit of their labour.
“But if, as Yoruba believe that those who are dead are still able to see those who are alive, my parents, wherever they are, will also be grateful to those who have worked with me to achieve everything.
“If they were alive, they would have been proud of my achievements.”
Obasanjo also lamented the “failure of leadership in Nigeria and Africa,” arguing that God has not created bad situation for either Nigeria or Africa.
He said concerted efforts must be made to correct this, so that the country and the African continent could witness a new dawn of development.
