Democracy Obasanjo
Former Nigerian military and civilian leader Olusegun Obasanjo recounted on Wednesday how his late wife, Stella Obasanjo, tirelessly reached out to global leaders in her quest to secure his release from prison.
Obasanjo was imprisoned on March 17, 1995, by the military government of General Sani Abacha on charges of plotting to overthrow the regime. Nevertheless, in 1999, he would go on to be elected as Nigeria’s civilian President.
Reflecting on his political journey at a ceremony in Benin City, Obasanjo spoke during the inauguration of the newly expanded and renovated Stella Obasanjo Hospital, an effort led by Edo State’s Governor Godwin Obaseki. The hospital, named in honor of the late Stella Obasanjo, serves as a tribute to her legacy.
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In his address, Obasanjo expressed deep admiration for his wife’s dedication: “When I was in prison, that woman left no stone unturned. She went all over the world to seek my release. She went to Japan, she went to the entire Europe, she went to the Vatican, she went to Latin America, she went through Africa, she left no stone unturned for my release and God answered her prayers and the prayers of all those praying for me, and I came out of prison alive.
“What could I do? I thought, coming out of prison, I’ve had it all. When we were planning for my wife’s 60th birthday anniversary, we never had that birthday anniversary before she died.
Stella Obasanjo
“It was very painful to me in particular and to all of us in my family. You can appreciate how thankful I am to you for doing this in her honour.
“I thank all the people of Edo State because I had a woman who made tremendous contributions to the achievements of my government.”
He added that Stella’s passing before her 60th birthday was a painful loss, yet he appreciated the honor bestowed upon her through the hospital. Obasanjo described Stella as a woman of profound character, whose influence helped shape his administration’s achievements, deserving recognition both in life and posthumously.
Obasanjo used the occasion to urge political leaders to prioritize the development of their citizens’ skills and well-being, emphasizing that human capital is essential to a government’s success. He highlighted food and nutrition security, healthcare, and education as the three pillars of human development. “Health is wealth,” he said, emphasizing that without proper nutrition and health, infrastructure investments cannot reach their full potential.
Obasanjo also commended Governor Obaseki for transforming the hospital, originally intended as a mother-and-child center, into a specialist facility equipped with modern technology.
Former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan, present at the event, thanked the governor for preserving Stella Obasanjo’s legacy through the hospital’s redevelopment, noting its importance for both Edo State and Nigeria as a whole.
Governor Obaseki explained that the hospital’s expansion, influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, transformed it into a critical 300-bed facility with a dedicated 20-bed emergency isolation unit. The hospital is now equipped with advanced medical facilities to address diverse health needs.
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