Obasanjo stuns Abeokuta residents, hits the road as ‘Keke’ rider

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo created a major stare on Saturday when he hit the capital city of Ogun State, Abeokuta roads, riding a tricycle, popularly called Keke.

Obasanjo did not ride alone. He stopped randomly to pick passengers, as he showed forth his riding skill.

The octogenarian former military Head of State of Nigeria, in the seventies, before returning as a civilian president in 1999, took off from Moshood Abiola Way, apparently from the nearby Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, close to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega station.

Dressed in white native attire and wearing a fez cap, the former President was cheered along by excited and surprised passers-by, some of who peeked inside the Keke to reassure themselves it was the former president.

He picked up passengers randomly from the take-off point towards the end of the popular Kuto Market in the town.

RELIABLESOURCENG.COM learnt that the dramatic display by the elder statesman was part of activities to mark his 85th birthday anniversary. He turned 85 in March but has continued to engage in activities to celebrate the milestone.

He donated 85 tricycles to young people across the 36 states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory last month, as part of the activities.

READ: I made a mistake choosing Atiku as my running mate – Obasanjo

At the event tagged “OBJ @85”, free tricycles were presented through the Youth Development Centre of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.

The ex-President urged young Nigerians to roll up their sleeves and make needed contributions towards addressing the challenges of the nation, admitting that though there are challenges they should not leave things to those who are messing it up.

“The first thing we want to prove is that there are opportunities galore in this country.

“Yes, things are not what they should be, but you, as youths, individually and collectively, must make up your mind, make contributions in order to make things the way they should be.

“If you leave things to those who are messing it up for you and who are saying you are the leaders of tomorrow, you will never have that tomorrow. Today is your day. Then the third point is that yes, sometimes you may get people who would help you and sometimes you may not even get who would help you.

“You must remember God has given you innate ability to be what He wants you to be and if you make up your mind on what you want to be, God will help you and He would provide those people who would help you to reach the sky which should be your limit,” he admonished.