Posted by By Ademola Oni, Abeokuta on
The scope of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library appears to be widening as the promoter, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, and the Ogun State Government have floated an initiative to make it a tourist centre.
The scope of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library appears to be widening as the promoter, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, and the Ogun State Government have floated an initiative to make it a tourist centre.
Obasanjo, who disclosed the plan in Abeokuta on Thursday when he led some consultants from a United States firm, Ralph Appelbaum Associates, on a visit to the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, said the idea aligned with the thinking of the firm's Managing Director, Ralph Appelbaum.
Obasanjo, said Appelbaum was 'overwhelmed by the generosity of Nigerians.' He added that the RAA possessed 'the best crop of people locally and internationally, who can deliver on what we want to do. Ralph has been told that it (library) should also be a tourist haven and I believe they (RAA) are already thinking along that line. So, the library will serve the needs of today, tomorrow and even generations yet unborn.'
Daniel, who expressed delight at the progress of the project, urged the consultants to ensure that the 'library becomes one of the projects that our children can really relate with.' The governor added, 'One must commend the zeal and determination of Baba (Obasanjo) on this project. We are excited and happy about the library. We are willing to be your local partner so that through that we can build a more enduring relationship and be able to make better inputs into the project.'
The governor's Chief of Staff, Chief Yomi Majekodunmi, had urged the American company to consider assisting the state to develop a virgin island into a tourist haven. A member of the American team, Nick Appelbaum, said the team 'hopes to be able to create a place where Nigerian children can dream, a project that will give all Nigerian children hope.'