Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has hailed late U.S. President Jimmy Carter as a “titan and man of peace” while recalling Carter’s critical role in securing his release from detention under the regime of General Sani Abacha. At a memorial service held at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obasanjo reflected on Carter’s unwavering efforts to rescue him from Abacha’s harsh imprisonment. Carter, the 39th U.S. president and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100.
“President Carter was one of my foreign friends who stuck their necks out to save my life,” Obasanjo said. “On his visit to Nigeria, he convinced Abacha to move me from detention to house arrest on my farm. However, that did not last long as Abacha was determined to keep me imprisoned.”
Obasanjo highlighted that Carter was the only non-African leader to personally visit Abacha to plead for his release. Despite Carter’s persistent efforts, Abacha remained unyielding. Following Abacha’s death, Obasanjo was finally freed by his successor, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
In his tribute, Obasanjo also shared a moving anecdote about Carter’s close friend and media mogul, Ted Turner, who offered to provide for Obasanjo and his family if he were released. “Carter told me to thank Ted Turner, who said, ‘I’ll take care of him and his family wherever he chooses to live.’ That generosity moved me to tears,” Obasanjo recalled.
Describing Carter’s legacy, Obasanjo praised his humility, leadership, and dedication to global peace. “He was a simple, humble, honest man of God who led by example and carried along an army of co-workers who shared his vision,” he said.
Drawing personal parallels between their lives, Obasanjo noted their shared backgrounds in farming and military service, as well as their journeys into political leadership. “Carter was a righteous man whose kindness, discipline, and faith in God resonated across the world. He was not just a great leader but also a true and loyal friend,” Obasanjo added.
Obasanjo concluded with a message of gratitude and hope: “I would miss a great and true friend, but I know we shall meet again in Paradise.”
