Why Obasanjo’s Image Should Be On Re-designed Naira Note – Afenifere

Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to use the image of former President Olusegun Obasanjo on one of the naira notes to be newly designed.

The National Secretary-General of Afenifere, Chief Sola Ebiseni, made this known on Saturday while reacting to the proposition by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

Naija News reported that Atiku, in a tweet via his Twitter account on Saturday, said Obasanjo deserves to be one of the faces on the new naira notes due to his role in brokering a peace deal in Ethiopia.

Recall that the Ethiopian government, on Wednesday, agreed to end the two-year conflict with rebel forces in the country’s northern Tigray region after a meeting in South Africa.

The meeting was convened by the African Union (AU) through Obasanjo who is the AU envoy on the matter.

Speaking with The Punch on Saturday, Ebiseni said Obasanjo deserved to have his image on one of the new naira notes for his contributions and place in the country’s history.

The Afenifere chieftain stated that no monument of much importance has been dedicated to the personality of the former President.

He said, “The naira notes that are to be redesigned already have pictures of some personalities who are part of our history but Obasanjo is well deserving of any honour that Nigeria considers necessary for him.

“As a matter of fact, no one has been more part of Nigeria’s history as Olusegun Obasanjo, so a place of honour should be reserved for him.

“When you look around Nigeria so far, no monument of much importance has been dedicated to his personality. I have looked around, no airport, no university, no stadium.”

Middle Belt Forum Hails Obasanjo

Also speaking, the National President of the Middle Belt Forum, Bitrus Pogu, said Obasanjo has contributed immensely to nation-building in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

He said, “Former President Obasanjo did well during his time of administering this country as a military and civilian leader of the country. He started serious infrastructure development in the country as well as Operation Feed the Nation. Also during his time, he was able to negotiate our foreign debt downwards.

“Also in the aspect of the economy, remember that when he came in, one barrel (of crude oil) was selling for the lowest ever experienced in the history of the country. He was able to grow the economy and handed over a robust economy to Yar’Adua. I think so far he has done well.

“And up till now he still behaves like a statesman in all his dealings. He deserves to be honoured. I believe that if that honour is given to him, I am in support. That will encourage others to do the right things and they will be honoured too when they leave public office.”

This article was originally published on Naija News