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My imprisonment was for a purpose, says Obasanjo
From Charles Coffie-Gyamfi
Abeokuta
"WHY did God allow me to come out of prison alive? It is because He has a purpose for allowing me to be sent into prison."
With those words, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared at the weekend that his incarceration by the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, was not without God's knowledge and that it was for a purpose.
The President spoke at a reception organised by the 1949/54 set of the Baptist Boys High School (BBHS), Abeokuta, his alma mater.
Although he failed to say what the purpose was, he said for him to come out of prison alive was a clear indication that God had a reason for putting him behind bars.
Absolving himself of the offence for which he was jailed, President Obasanjo said: "When I came out of prison, I was unhappy because I did not commit the offence for which I was jailed."
He told the audience at the Valley View, venue of the reception: "The man who put me in jail vowed that three of us would not come out alive."
The two others were Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and Gen. Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, both of whom died in prison.
The president revealed that in prison one day, he read the book of Esther in the Bible after which he became convinced that God was able to release him.
Esther was a maid servant but through divine intervention she married the king of Persia Ahasuerus and used her position to save her kinsmen, the Jews, from being exterminated.
Obasanjo said he was proud to be an old student of the BBHS, describing the school as a unique one whose products are distinguished by their character.
He said: "God also has a purpose for making me to joint the Army because I don't known why I joined."
The National President of the alumni association, Mr. Bayo Oguntona, said the on-going reforms by the Obasanjo administration were inevitable for a better tomorrow for the country.
Apparently due to the series of criticisms against the administration, Oguntona said the President is going through difficult times due to the radical reforms his administration had embarked upon, but at the end of the day, "I am sure he would be given standing ovation, discharged and acquitted."
He urged all who passed through the school and now holding responsible positions to continue to keep the flag flying.
Among the old students of the school who attended the occasion were the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Chief Bola Ajibola former judge of the World Court and Dr. Onaolapo Soleye, former Finance Minister.
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