Obasanjo, Amaechi, Kukah, others grace PREMIUM TIMES E-in-C, Musikilu Mojeed’s book launch

On Thursday, Nigerian celebrities officially launched “The Letterman”, a book about Obasanjo’s “secret” letters written by PREMIUM TIMES Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed.

The presented book is a 492-page non-fiction narrative. Title: “Letterman: Inside Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo’s ‘Secret’ Letters”. It extols the uniqueness and importance of letter writing in the documentation of leadership, governance and major political events as they unfold.

The book is based on the former Nigerian president’s bold letter-writing skills and his usual consistent nature of speaking openly to subordinates, superiors, peers and foreign personalities through letters, regardless of the reactions the letters may provoke.

This book documents and analyzes some significant and historical letters written and received by the former president. Some of the letters written to authorities in Nigeria and around the world have never been seen publicly.

High officials at the event

Among the dignitaries present at the launch of the book were the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Mathew Kukah; Former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi; Former FCT Minister, Aliyu Modibbo; former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator Seriake Dickson; Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, Senator representing Osun West, Aderele Oriolowo.

Among others, Omoigui-Okauru of Ifue, former president of FIRS, was the main presenter of the book; former senator and presidential aide, Babafemi Ojudu; Director General, Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Asishana Okauru; President of PREMIUM TIMES, Nasir Abdullahi; EU representative Alexandra Gomez; Former Inspector General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, MacArthur Foundation’s Kole Shettima; CEO and Publisher of PREMIUM TIMES, Dapo Olorunyomi and Boboye Oyeyemi, former Corps Marshal and Director General of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

However, midway through the launch of the book, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is the main character of the book, unexpectedly arrived at the event venue. His arrival caused great excitement among the audience as he walked gracefully to his seat.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan who was the special guest of honor was represented by a former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, while Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo and Mr. Fani-Kayode represented the APC chairmanship. candidate, Bola Tinubu, among many others in attendance.

In his remarks, the author of the book, Mr. Kukah, said that Mr. Obasanjo has made it difficult for writers to write about him because he has written about every part of his life.

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He added that Mr. Obasanjo developed an obsession to write his story, which is why the former president has written everything about himself.

The church said Mr. Obasanjo elevated the act of letter writing to an art form.

Mr. Kukah said the book (The Letterman) is an inspiration and full of ingenuity.

ALSO READ: How Obasanjo Cut Short Diplomatic Trip Abroad To Attend ‘The Letterman’ Launch By PREMIUM TIMES Editor-in-Chief

On his part, Yusuf Ali (SAN), the chairman of the event, said the book is “fascinating”.

While he admires Mr. Obasanjo for the art of writing, he said the book aims to revive the attitude of letter writing among Nigerians.

He said: “Letterman has shed light on other books written by generals and called on the future leaders of the country to write them properly.”

“I want to challenge all of us, the Nigerian project must not fail. We should not encourage our children to “japa”. You cannot leave your best and brightest to go and develop other countries,” the senior lawyer stated.

Mr. Ali said that in order to achieve and inculcate the culture of reading and writing, the education sector in Nigeria needs to be fixed.