At 77, Nigeria’s former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, has registered for an MA/Ph.D. in Christian Theology at the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN. Obasanjo, who arrived the Victoria Island headquarters of the university on Tuesday morning in a black Lexus SUV, with registration number, Lagos APP 769 DB to receive his admission letter, said his decision to pursue a Ph.D in Christian Theology was borne out of his desire to know more about God and serve him better.
“I do not want to be a pastor. I only want to know more about my God and to serve Him better,” he said, stressing that learning should be a continuous process. Obasanjo said one’s status in life should not be a barrier to seeking knowledge. “I want to make a statement that no matter the position you have attained in life, it should not be a barrier to seeking knowledge. Learning should be a continuous process and if you can do it without the formality of the university, well and good. But I chose to learn by other means and through a discipline and the formality of a university,” Obasanjo said.
Obasanjo also said the admission comes with a new challenge. “Again, this admission offers me a fresh challenge in life,” he added. Prof. Vincent Tenebe, Vice Chancellor of the university, who described Obasanjo as an exemplary leader, said admission and registration in universities were not supposed to be marked by ceremonies and jubilations, but the involvement of Obasanjo calls for special attention and celebrations.
“Admission and registration in universities are not marked by special ceremonies and jubilations. However, when special people are involved, when passionate, sensitive and exemplary leaders whose leadership styles are people-oriented, committed and altruistic in words and in action, special attention and little celebration is in order as we are having it today. You are a true father to the nation hence you have been nicknamed Baba by all Nigerians; no one can take that from you. You are a friend and a mentor to all Nigerians and whether any one likes it or not, all Nigerians love you for your selfless services to the nation, first as a citizen, a pacesetter, and then as a leader.” Obasanjo obtained a postgraduate diploma in Christian Theology from the university in 2009.
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