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Lagos will become Africa’s third largest economy before I die - Olusegun Obasanjo
Posted by :Buchi Obichie
Olusegun Obasanjo revealed that his prediction would come to pass within the stipulated period as the Lagos state government is working towards making the state an economic hub
- The former president further stated that though people say Africa is poor, the continent is only poor by choice
- Obasanjo appealed to Africans to focus on job opportunities and wealth creation instead of complaining so much about poverty
Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of Nigeria, has stated that in a very short period of time, Lagos would become the third largest economy in Africa, Premium Times reports.
Obasanjo made his comments on Wednesday August 2, at a book launch of a book authored by him and 3 other authors titled 'Making Africa Work'.
The other co-authors are Greg Mills, Director of Brenthurst Foundation; Jeffrey Herbst, President of Newseum and Dickie Davis, a retired major general.
According to Obasanjo, this would happen before he dies as the Lagos state government is working to make the state a hub for economic activities.
He stated: “(Even though) People said I look like someone who is in the departure lounge, Lagos will become the third largest economy before I take my boarding pass.”
According to the former president, people say Africa is poor; but the continent is only poor by choice.
He stated: “Africa is poorly managed.
“We are poor by choice (and) we will also get out of that poverty by choice.”
While stating that the continent should not complain about poverty so much, Obasanjo appealed to Africans to focus on job opportunities and wealth creation.
Meanwhile, according to naija news media previously reported that prominent Lagos monarch Oba Rilwan Akiolu, accused former president Olusegun Obasanjo of punishing Lagos by his refusal to grant the state a special status.
Obasanjo who served between 1999 and 2007, had a serious battle with then governor of Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over the latter's creation of 37 local council development areas.
