Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday highlighted several similarities he shared with the late Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States.
Obasanjo made these remarks during a funeral service he organized in Carter’s memory at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King in Abeokuta.
The service was attended by Obasanjo, his family, friends, and associates.
Carter passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.
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Obasanjo explained that the service was held to honor Carter’s life and his selfless contributions to humanity through the ‘Carter Center.’
In his tribute, titled ‘Jimmy Carter: The Departure Of A Titan,’ Obasanjo reflected on the many ways in which he and the late American president were alike.
“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.
“He grew up under parents 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 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,” he said.
Mr. Obasanjo expressed that he would miss Jimmy Carter, calling him “a great and true friend,” but added, “I know we shall meet again in paradise.”
The former Nigerian leader explained that he organized the service in Carter’s memory, despite the late American President living and passing almost 5,000 miles away, because Carter was a remarkable global leader.
Obasanjo described Carter as a righteous man, whose righteousness had a far-reaching impact across the world.
“He was a lover of humanity, a man of God; and he was a great and true friend of mine,” Obasanjo stated.
Mr. Obasanjo also recalled how Jimmy Carter risked his own safety to advocate for his release from prison during the regime of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
In his sermon, Rev. Israel Akanji, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, noted that Carter never let his humble beginnings define him, remaining grounded throughout his life.
Rev. Akanji described Carter as a compassionate individual who adhered to the philosophy, “What is mine is yours if you need it.”
He urged leaders to embrace compassion and not remain indifferent to the welfare of the people.
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