Jimmy Carter and I will meet again in Paradise, says OBJ

 

Damilola Ajibola 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo,on Sunday, said that the late United States of America President, Jimmy Carter and himself will meet again in Paradise.

He said this during a service organized in honour of Carter, who died at the age of 100 years, late last year, in his Georgia home.

Obasanjo in his tribute delivered at the service held at Chapel of Christ The Glorious King, within the precinct of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, in Abeokuta, said he would miss his true friend, but with an assurance that they will meet again in Paradise.

In his tribute titled “Jimmy Carter: The Departure Of A Titan”, disclosed what the late Carter and himself shared in common.

He said “In terms of early life background, I shared similarity with President Jimmy Carter. He was born into a farming family in Plains, Georgia, and I was born into a farming family in the rural village of Ibogun-Olaogun in Ogun State. 

“He grew up under a father and mother who were disciplinarians, who instilled in him the essence of discipline, morality, hard work, integrity, kindness and humility, compassion for the poor and strong belief in God. My parents inculcated similar attributes in me as I was growing up in a rural area that had no pipe water, no electricity just as it was in Plains, Georgia, while Jimmy Carter was growing there. 

“He beat me though in one respect, there was a road to his settlement, there was no road to my village. We walked to every place or, at best, we were carried on bicycles. 

“President Carter had a military background which I had and, in fact, we met when I was a military Head of State. But if not that we were both in politics, our paths may not have crossed. 

“When I became Nigeria’s military Head of State, one major issue that Africa was facing, among others, was removing the last vestiges of colonization and getting rid of apartheid all in Southern Africa.”

Obasanjo said he would miss Carter, “a great and true friend but I know we shall meet again in Paradise.”