Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has commended Musikilu Mojeed. Editor-In-Chief of Premium Times, and online newspaper, on his authored book titled The Letterman: Inside the ‘secret’ Letters of former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo’.
Penpushing reports that, Obasanjo gave the commendation at the launch of the book on Thursday in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory(FCT), adding that he was completely flabbergasted by the amount of work he(Mojeed) has done in writing the book.
The former President, recalled how he used letters in several diplomatic interventions across the world, including his intervention in the then apartheid South Africa, stressing that letter writing is an art that must be relevant and purposeful
Penpushing further reports that, he revealed that he had no intention to attend the launch because the author did not get his authorisation to write the book, adding that he changed his mind after going through the book, and had to reschedule his activities in Ethiopia to attend the launch.
“I did not intend to be here for a number of reasons. One, as you have heard from Musikilu, he did not take my permission and until last week Monday, I did not know he was writing a book —when he brought me two copies, and I read the book. I was completely flabbergasted by the amount of work he has done in writing the book’, Obasanjo stated.
‘I was torn between what should I do and what should I not do. He did not tell me he was writing a book, but he has done an excellent job. Letter writing is also an art. You must be very careful in the choice of your words. It depends on what you want to put into it. Your letter must be such that it is relevant and purposeful’, he added
“Then when I read some of the letters in the book as put by Musikilu, I said to myself—some of you have said what gives me courage? I then look at this book, if you had asked me to give a title, and not the title ‘Letterman’, I would have titled it “Audacity of an optimist”, he said
“The thing again about a letter is that it goes beyond you. There is nothing personal to me about the letters—interest of the community, the society, the organisation that I belong to, the military, warfront—how should the war be fought so that we minimize casualty, so that we can deal with it and finish it off,” he stated.
Penpushing reports that, Obasanjo recounted how Nigeria resolved the crisis between Robert Mugabe and Joshua Nkomo, during the fight against the Ian Smith white government in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
“Almost all of the letters stand the test of time. Whether it is the letter on apartheid in South Africa or Ian Smith in Rhodesia. Or between (Joshua) Nkomo and (Robert) Mugabe. These letters stand the test of time’, Obasanjo emphasised.
Penpushing further reports that, the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Mathew Kukah, who reviewed the book, earlier in his remarks praised Obasanjo for his capacity to keep records, pointing out that the letters written by him over the years showed his bravery and commitment to what is right, adding that the former President is assured of a place in the history of Nigeria and the world.
The Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto in the same vein commended the author, who is also President International Press Institute (IPI), Nigeria, for writing the book, which according to him would give Nigerians a glance into the mind of the former president and host of others.
Penpushing also reports that, the 492-page publication titled, “The Letterman: Inside the ‘secret’ Letters of former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo’, focuses on the former President fondness for letters to address issues, and x-rays the role of letter writing in leadership, governance, and politics.
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