December 27, (THEWILL) – Former President, Chief Olusegun has mourned the late Anti-Aparthied Scion, Desmond Tutu, recalling the role he played in getting the Paris Club to cancel Nigeria’s debt.
The late pro-democracy guru and human rights crusader died earlier on Sunday at age 90.
Obasanjo in a condolence letter to the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, which was contained in a press release by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, said that the death of Tutu was a personal loss to him.
The two term civilian president who eulogised the efforts of the human right crusader in respect to Nigeria’s indebtedness to Paris Club through his letter said it was very much of his character.
He said that Tutu’s solidarity and deep passion to have argued the cancellation of Nigeria’s debt in a letter written to Mr. Gordon Brown, the then United Kingdom’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, during his administration was very uncommon
The octogenarian described the anti- apartheid crusader as patriotic and highly respected Intercessor who has shown focus and purposeful leadership to the Anglican Church and all Christians saying that his life symbolised one of the finest example dedicated to our Saviour, Jesus Christ to make difference
The ex-president, who prayed for the soul of Tutu to rest in peace, said that he was a preacher and a visionary leader that should be remembered for his forthrightness, doggedness, and his anti-corruption crusade as well as his service to humanity and the people of South Africa
The letter partly reads: “The news of the demise of our very dear and beloved, The Most Reverend Desmond Tutu got to me with the feeling of a sense of personal loss. It is with this same feeling that I write to commiserate with you, his family members and the entire good people of South Africa on the passing of this great son of Africa.”
“Over the years, Reverend Tutu had shown focused, credible, bold, sensitive and purposeful leadership not just to members of the Anglican Church but to all Christians. He had been part of building and strengthening the Anglican Church, and its eminent place in the Church system in South Africa today is not unrelated to his selfless service and leadership. Reverend Tutu was acknowledged as a leader among his peers and contemporaries. The Lord was with him and used him mightily to support and supplement his flock.
“Again, I must acknowledge his uncommon solidarity and the deep passion with which he had argued Nigeria’s case for full debt cancellation by the contents of his letter to Mr. Gordon Brown, the then United Kingdom’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, during my administration as the President of Nigeria. This heroic advocacy effort of his with respect to Nigeria’s indebtedness to the Paris Club on behalf of Nigeria was very much in his character.”
“Though we are saddened by the inevitable finality of his passage, as we will miss his fiery sermons, writings and fatherly counsel, we should be comforted by the fact that he left a good legacy behind and his memory will linger on for very long time in the minds of his admirers, friends, protégés, immediate community, congregants and, indeed, Christendom.”
“He will also be remembered for his forthrightness, doggedness, dynamism, welfarism, anti-corruption, estachological discourses, courage, commitment to ethical values, uprightness, unwavering Christian testimony and purposeful leadership. He died with his head lifted high; his ministry untainted; and his integrity uncompromised.
May the gentle soul of Reverend Tutu rest in perfect peace.” He concluded
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