Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has visited the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Abeokuta, Ogun State
Mbeki who arrived with the Consul General of South Africa in Nigeria, Mr Darkey Africa about 11 am yesterday, urged African leaders to emulate the library’s chief promoter and Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in preserving African heritage.
After being conducted round the various departments of the library complex, including the wild life park (zoo), the Museum and the plastic bottles recycling centre, Mbeki said he was excited and commended Obasanjo for the feat.
He said, “Hopefully, some other African leaders can come and have a look because I think the example that you (Obasanjo) have set here is an example that will be worth repeating in other African countries. I think it will make a very important contribution even in the recovery of African dignity and our identification.
“Where do we think we are going? I really want to say congratulations to President Obasanjo and the people of Nigeria because this OOPL is an important part of our heritage.”
The former South African president disclosed that he was in Lagos for a meeting “and decided to visit the library which my friend, Obasanjo, told me about.”
He expressed joy that he saw more than he expected. “The library itself, of course tells a very important story about the former President Obasanjo, from his early life experiences to post-government and all that. It is a very important story, in fact it is not just a story about Obasanjo but a good part of the story is about Nigeria and also Africa. It is very important that record is available, not only to the people of Nigeria but to everybody, particularly the people of the continent.
“I was particularly pleased with the focus being paid to youths because indeed, I think our youths need to be exposed to our past. “It teaches them something about the responsibilities that they have to themselves, to their country and to the continent,” Mbeki said.
