Former President Olusegun Obasanjo couldn’t hold back his tears as he spoke passionately about the growing hardship and hunger millions of Nigerians face today. In a powerful and emotional moment captured in a video, he said:
“Forgive me, this is the first time I’m crying with my own tears.”
The statesman didn’t mince words—he described the current poverty level as beyond alarming, saying it’s no longer just about money but about basic human survival and dignity.
He made a striking point “There’s a difference between being poor and being hungry. A man with a bicycle may be poorer than a man with a car—but at least, he’s not hungry.”
Obasanjo reflected on his humble beginnings, recalling a time when even the poorest had food.
“We had garri morning and night—but no one went to bed hungry. Today, some don’t know what they’ll eat tomorrow.”
He stressed that poverty and hunger are not just natural problems—they are the result of injustice, poor leadership, and broken systems.
He believes Nigeria has more than enough for everyone, but the unequal sharing of opportunities and wealth continues to create suffering.
He didn’t stop there. “Education is the most powerful tool to break poverty,” he said, while also calling for leaders with heart, character, and community spirit, not just ambition.
“Leadership starts from the family—and it must serve the people, not self-interest.”
In closing, Obasanjo reminded us all:
“No human is born without potential. Give people the chance—and they’ll rise.”