Info on Obasanjo library December 28, 2006 | posted by Nigerian Muse (Archives)

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Presidential Library launched
May 16, 2005, 14:56
 

The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library project was launched on 14 May in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State.

Part of the event involved a ground breaking ceremony that was performed by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Also present at the event were:

• The Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
• The Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel
• The Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori
• The Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha
• The Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Sani Ahmed Yerima
• The Commerce Minister, Ambassador Adamu
• Chief Ernest Shonekan, Chairman of Nigeria’s former Interim National Government (1993)
• Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Austin Opara.

The library complex, which will be located on the outskirts of Abeokuta, is founded on three philosophical cornerstones: leadership, transparency and agriculture.

These are also the three main principles that inform the policies of Obasanjo and this Administration.

The complex, which is patterned after the United States (US) Presidential Library concept pioneered by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, is divided into three major sections:

• The main museum/library
• Recreation and leisure services
• Housing/support facilities.

The museum/library will be located on a rocky elevated zone, and will provide the type of isolated tranquillity necessary for scholarship and museum appreciation. Aside from the library, the museum and other archival amenities, this section will also comprise a centre for research, seminars and workshops.

The museum will carry significant documents, photographs, films, video tapes, sound recordings and memorabilia that depict stages of the President’s public life, as well as important policies and decisions of this Administration.

The proposed Library’s auditorium is expected to accommodate up to 1500 people and will also retain 144 research fellow/guest chalets.

In all, the Presidential Library will hold presidential files and papers that cover public policy issues, while the archives will act as a repository for Obasanjo’s presidential papers and historical materials.

The project, according to its trustees, would fend for itself through the offer of services, including:

• Guest houses
• Cyber café
• Publishing resources
• Souvenir/gift shops
• Auditorium for seminars/workshops, exhibitions, social events
• Museum
• Amphitheatre
• Restaurant
• Park/garden
• Artificial lake/stream/waterfall
• Zoo
• Gym/keep-fit centre for recreation.

Members of the Board of Trustees are:

• Ambassador Christopher Kolade, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK) (Chairman)
• Mr Carl Masters (American), (Co-Chairman)
• Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel
• Honourable Vernon Jordan (American), former Adviser of President Bill Clinton
• Mr Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Atlantic Airline
• Dr Onaolapo Soleye, Minister of Finance under the Buhari Administration
• Mr Jim Ovia, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Zenith International Bank
• Dr Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, Ogun State Commissioner for Health
• Mr Nyaknno Osso, the President’s librarian (Secretary).

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Sunday, May 15, 2005

Guardian

Obasanjo's Library Nets N4bn
 

• Adenuga, Dangote, Odogwu, Arisekola, Ibru, Governors Top Donor List

FROM CHARLES COFFIE GYAMFI (ABEOKUTA)

DESPITE the reported controversy that trailed its announced launch, the novel idea of establishing Presidential Libraries started by President Roosevelt of United States 69 years ago was enacted in Nigeria yesterday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
 

As at 3.15pm, the project, estimated to cost N7 billion, had realised about N4 billion, as eminent personalities, mostly friends and political associates of President Olusegun Obasanjo, who came from the political and business sectors, tried to outsmart each other by giving the highest donation

The maximum individual donations came from captains of industry, Chief Mike Adenuga, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Chief Sunny Odogwu, who donated N250 million, N211.6 million and N200 million respectively.
 

While the 36 State governors contributed N360 million, the private sector, N622 million and the Nigerian Ports Authority, $1 million; Chief Arisekola Alao and Olorogun Michael Ibru (chairman of Oceanic Bank Plc) donated N100 million and N50 million in that order

The project, to be known as Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), is named after the President, who hails from the Owu Quarter of Abeokuta

Those who spoke at the occasion extolled the exemplary leadership qualities of Obasanjo. Prof. O.O. Akinkugbe said the President's leadership forms the central plank of his exhortation both nationally and internationally.
 

He said of Obasanjo: "He appears totally and irrevocably consumed by the credo, 'get leadership right and all else will be added unto it.'
 

However, he canvassed a responsible followership that demands the regular audit of leaders' performances to ensure that they are deserving of their offices

Akinkugbe noted that it was a paradox that many in elective offices have no respect for humanity, which they use sparingly and the constituents they so strenuously court while seeking office are abandoned once the object of their desires had been accomplished.
 

To him, Obasanjo is a great African leader who everyone should be proud of

Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who is a member of the steering committee of the project, explained that the library is a unique one, as it combines in one location, facilities for rigorous academic work, statesmanly reflection and wholesome recreation.
 

Daniel said the President had always been at the vanguard and promotion of progressive initiatives around the world. "He has established credible benchmarks for good governance, promoted accountability and nurtured transparency in private and public life."
 

He described the President's knack for forthrightness and his uncompromising nationalism as "a sine qua non for the new Nigeria that we so much desire and deserve."
 

Daniel said the library project was a demonstration of the President's gift for unprecedented innovations in the Nigerian polity and in Africa

An American, Mr. Carl Masters, who is part of the team handling two projects for the library complex, said if completed, it would be the first of its kind in Africa

He explained that the project would not be financed by that Federal Government and asked African heads of governments to emulate Obasanjo's example

Dr. Christopher Kolade, who is the chairman of the team handing the project said when completed, it would add to the nation's intellectual edifices

Excited President Obasanjo, who was at the hightable with his Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, expressed deep appreciation to the donors and all those that made the occasion successful

Describing the ceremony as epoch-making in the history of the country stressed that knowledge-building and preservation were necessary for the development of any nation

"We need to keep institutional memories as well as the nation's memories," he said, adding that history and memories were better kept through collection of information and preservation

Among the aims of the library, he disclosed, was to keep his life's history as well that of Nigeria as much as possible, assuring that the project would not disturbs his commitment and dedication to the service of Nigeria

He also assured the donors that they had donated to a worthy cause, which they would never regret

Some of other donors Chief Sam Nwake, N20 million, Dapo Abiodun (N10m), the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunde Sijuwade (N10 m), Dr Bayo Kuku (N5m), the PDP (N25m), Obasanjo Holdings (N100m), Chief Ernest Sonekan (N1m), Ogun State monarchs (N5m) and all political aides of the President (N2m)

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This Day

Obasanjo Library Fund Clocks N6bn
Oil majors donate $20m

By Yusuph Olaniyonu, 05.16.2005

Donations into the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) project which was launched in Abeokuta at the weekend may have reached N6 billion. This leaves only a shortfall of about N1 billion to raise the N7 billion for the project.
 

Sources close to the organisers of the launching indicated that though there were reports that about N4 billion were realised at the launching, the figure excluded the $20 million (about N2 billion) donated by oil firm majors operating in the country.
The donation by the oil companies became one of the largest to the project which was patterned after the Presidential Libraries concept in the United States, which was pioneered by President Franklin Delano Roosevett.
 

Other big donors to the project were Dr. Mike Adenuga, chairman of Globacom Communications who donated N250 million, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, president Dangote Group, N211.6 million and Mr. Femi Otedola, chairman of Zenon Oil Limited. N200 million.
 

The major oil companies’ donation which is now the biggest to the project was however not made public.
 

It is believed that the presidential library project may be the first significant step of President Obasanjo’s preparation for life after office in 2007.
 

The library complex located on the outskirts of Abeokuta, the president’s town is founded on three philosophical cornerstones - leadership, transparency and agriculture.
 

According to the board of trustees, “these three policy trusts guided President Obasanjo throughout his years of public life and allowed him to lead, achieve and create a vivid, lasting legacy that continues to shape and influence, form and guide the times in which we live right now.”
 

The site is divided into three major zones, the museum/library, recreation and leisure and housing/support services.
 

By the desigh, the museum/library will be located on the high rocky zone with ‘a dignified, architectural statement from atop the high rock... and its elevated location (will) provide an isolated tranquility necessary for scholarship and museum appreciation.”
 

The structure shall consist of a library ‘an archive and museum including a policy centre (for research, seminars and workshops). While the presidential library will hold the presidential files and papers which covers all issues of public policy, the archive will act as a repository for the presidential papers and historical materials of President Obasanjo. The museum will however exhibit present significant documents, photographs, films, video tapes, sound recording and memorabilia that depict stages of the president’s life, the important policy trust and decisions of his administration.
 

The auditorium of the proposed library is expected to take about 1,500 people. There will also be 144-research fellows/guest chalet.
 

The project trustees hope to fend for it through offer of services like guest houses, cyber cafe, publishing souvenir/gift shops, auditorium (seminars/workshops, exhibitions, social events), museum, amphitheatre, restaurant, pack/garden, artificial lake/ stream/waterfall, zoo and gym for recreation/keep fit centre.
The trustees include Ambassador Christopher Kolade, Nigeria’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom, as chairman, Mr. Carl Masters, an American as co-chairman, Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, Hon. Vernon Jordan, an American, Mr. Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Atlantic Airline, Dr. Onaolapo Soleye, Minister of Finance under the Buhari administration and Mr. Jim Ovia, MD/CEO Zenith International Bank.
 

Others include Dr. Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello, the president’s eldest daughter and Ogun State commissioner for health and Mr. Nyaknno Osso, the president’s librarian who serves as secretary.

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