Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and
chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and
Empowerment Programme, SURE-P, Dr Christopher
Kolade, yesterday, bickered over the SURE-P
initiative of the Federal Government.
While Chief Obasanjo said he did not believe in the
SURE-P, Dr Kolade, said he believed in it.
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They spoke at the presentation of lectures delivered over the years by Dr Christopher Kolade titled 'Kolade's Canons', at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Lagos.
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Obasanjo, who was special guest at the book launch, lampooned the SURE-P, saying it was an initiative he did not understand.
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The former president said though he did not have an inkling on what the SURE-P was all about, the chairman of the programme has given satisfactory explanation about why he took up the appointment.
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Said he: "I have said it publicly and I will never stop saying it that his service as the High Commissioner to Britain at the time he agreed to be exported, made tremendous impact and helped me and my administration. I don't know about SURE-P. People come to me but I have not sent anybody to you. I have got many people who have come to me and said 'send me to Christopher Kolade, he is in charge of the SURE-P'. I don't know what is SURE-P.
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"When he (Kolade) was celebrating his 80th birthday, those who had misgivings about him taking up that assignment challenged him and he gave satisfactory explanation. If he does not give it, those of us who have complaints, won't understand.
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"I am a complainant about the situation in my country. If we don't feel concerned about what is bad, you would not have brought about what is good. You have to be able to identify what is not right and complain about it and speak about it.
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Don't just complain and speak, try and prescribe the alternative. You know whatsoever you do in this country, I will support you".
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Commending the former Nigerian High Commissioner to England for assisting his administration, Obasanjo described him as a gift not only to Nigeria but also to humanity.
Well their argument doesn't matter to me or Nigerians. What will happen at the end of it all is our utmost concern.
Obasanjo is definately used to things like this.He loves to be listened to. Let's see how this will end