Debt: Obasanjo Warns Foreign Creditors Praises House members •Receives THISDAY Award By Olusegun Adeniyi, 03.13.2005 President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday in Lagos said that Nigeria's creditors must seize the moment by negotiating with the government on the way out of the present debt crisis otherwise, the country might be forced to take unilateral action. Obasanjo dropped this hint while receiving the THISDAY Lifetime Award at his Ota Farm from THISDAY Board of Editors led by Chairman, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena. In presenting the award, Obaigbena said the award was presented to Obasanjo in recognition of his "uncommon innovation, courage, integrity and leadership". Obaigbena recalled that THISDAY started publication at the most difficult times in the history of Nigeria. "On March 13, 1995, exactly ten years ago tomorrow (today), you were arrested upon return from the United Nations World Social Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, by the administration of the late General Sani Abacha. You were subsequently put on trial and later jailed for charges that remain till date unproven. "It was in this treacherous terrain that THISDAY entered the market. We started publication as a weekly on Sunday January 22, 1995 and as a daily on Monday, March 20, 1995, seven days after your arrest. THISDAY's exclusive lead story on that March 20, 1995 was "Obasanjo is Sick". Obaigbena said further that THISDAY Board of Editors decided to confer Obasanjo with the award because of his passion about the future, greatness and indivisibility of this country as well as the courage and integrity which he has brought to leadership. While applauding Obasanjo's efforts, however, Obaigbena reminded him of the challenges ahead which include the energy sector reforms, the political reforms and the overall economy. In replying, Obasanjo talked about three key issues which he said concerns him today: the debt problem for which the House of Representatives last week asked him to stop forthwith further servicing; his perception of the media in Nigeria and how the country can move into prosperity. On the debt issue, Obasanjo thanked the National Assembly, particularly the House of Representatives for their intervention on the issue. "I must thank the House because they passed that resolution out of frustration. I have done everything I can in the last six years, travelled extensively, got promises but anytime we are nearly there, they would give another condition." The President, however said he would still appeal to Nigerians to allow him pursue the path of dialogue. "There are options we can pursue at multilateral and bilateral levels but if all that fail, then we can resort to unilateral action", he warned. The President believed that working together in partnership with the media, the debt issue could be resolved in the interest of the country but he does not believe the media in Nigeria is playing that role. According to the President, "something is wrong with Nigerian media, that is why many leaders say openly that they do not read newspapers again. I don't mind criticism but I hate three things. One, destructive criticism. Two, ignorant criticism. Three, criticism that has nothing to offer." Taking a swipe at THISDAY, Obasanjo said: "Your criticisms are negative, destructive and they do not serve this country." After the harsh words, the President still thanked the editors of THISDAY for the award. "If we say what we do is in the best interest of this country, you must see what we are trying to do. There is no easy way out." Aside Obasanjo, other people present at the ceremony were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Dr. Ahmadu Ali and his wife; FCT Minister, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai; Dr. Mike Adenuga (Jnr), Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Mr. Festus Odimegwu, Mr. Femi Otedola, Senators Udoma Udo Udoma and Sanusi Dagash, Alhaji Samad Isyaku Rabiu, Dr. Alimi AbdulRasak, Alhaji Waziri Mohammed, Mrs. Remi Oyo and many others. Accompanying Obaigbena on the THISDAY team were the editors, Eniola Bello, Olusegun Adeniyi, Simon Kolawole, Eziuche Ubani as well as Israel Iwegbu and Finance Director, Deji Mustapha.

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