Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has reminisced on his time in prison and the incredible efforts his late wife, Stella, made to secure his release.
Speaking during the inauguration of the 250-bed Stella Obasanjo Hospital in Benin, Obasanjo revealed how his late wife travelled extensively, visiting places like Vatican City and France, to plead for his freedom.
“My late wife went everywhere to ensure that I came out of prison alive. She was in Vatican City, France, and other parts of the world. I had it all coming out of prison.
“We were planning for her 68th birthday anniversary but never had it before she died. It was very painful for me in particular and for all of us in my family.
“So you can appreciate how thankful I am to you for doing this in her honour,” he noted.
It will be recalled that Obasanjo was arrested and jailed by General Sani Abacha’s regime over an alleged planned coup, despite maintaining his innocence. However, after Abacha’s death, Obasanjo was released by the Abdulsalam Abubakar junta.
Stella’s determination and loyalty were instrumental in keeping Obasanjo’s case in the international spotlight. Her bravery didn’t go unnoticed, as she received the Liberal International Prize for Freedom in 1997 and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation’s Human Rights Prize in 1996.
He also expressed gratitude to the government and the people of Edo State for honoring Stella’s memory with the hospital.
The former president who said he had a good working relationship with former governor Odigie Oyegun further praised governor Godwin Obaseki for “starting and finishing well”.
“With this hospital, you’re assured of first-class treatment for any ailment. More grace to the elbows of the governor. With this kind of edifice, I can say that the governor started well and he is finishing well”, he added.