Obasanjo: Yola Prison Experience Made Me Better Person, Part of My Success Story

•Says Fintiri is future material

Daji Sani in Yola

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday, recalled his Yola prison experience, in Adamawa State, and said it did not only make him a better person, but also formed part of his success story as president of Nigeria.

He however, extoled the strides of Governor Ahamdu Umaru Finitri of the state, describing him as a material for the future.

Reflecting on his stay in Yola prison, he said, “My experience in Yola  prison made me a better person and also formed part of my success story as President of Nigeria.

“I am very pleased with Adamawa people. My best friend is from Adamawa. I have a very strong affinity with the people of Adamawa, my running mate and vice-president came from Adamawa state.”

Speaking on the governor, he said, “Finitri has shown to the world, what it takes to lead. I am very pleased with what I see in Yola today. Governor Finitri, you are doing well,” he said.

Obasanjo disclosed this while commissioning the Police Roundabout flyover  rated  as one of the best and the first in the Northeast sub-region.

He further noted that the efforts being made by the Finitri administration as an indication that, “we will get to the desired place if the military does not interrupt the process,” adding that though Nigeria has not gotten it right, it would get there.

The former president, who performed the commissioning, said the essence of governance was to bring positive change to the people who were being served.

He also charged the governor to take his urban renewal programmes to the rural areas, stressing that rural development would help in curbing security challenges as it would reduce rural migration

In his remark, Finitri said, “Since I took over as governor of the state, I made up my mind for real positive change engendered in the promise of democracy.

“Exactly five years ago, I took the Oath of Office to serve as your democratically-elected governor. In my address at the occasion, I stated that positive change has come to Adamawa State.

“I was conscious of the hope of our people and the trust in me to bring about the positive change for all Adamawa people regardless of tribe, religion, social background or political inclination.

“The task ahead was very clear in my mind and I was fully committed to discharging it with the zeal of a missionary. Precisely one year ago, I took another Oath of Office for my second term. If my election for the first term was a trust, my second election represents a vote of confidence and an impetus to do more,” he said.