Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, says Nigeria needs more rebels who will speak truth to power, not minding whose ox is gored.

The former president stated this on Saturday, while unveiling the autobiography of the Babanla Adinni of Egbaland, Tayo Sowunmi, titled ‘Footprints Of A Rebel’ in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

The autobiography, reviewed by Hafsat Abiola Costello, founder of Kudirat Initiative for Democracy, was unveiled as part of the celebration of the 80th birthday of Mr Sowunmi, a former activist and elder statesman.

In his brief remarks, Obasanjo noted that for Nigeria to move forward, it requires people who stand and speak for the truth.

“Looking at the title of the book, I ask myself, why would someone call himself a rebel. But it is good.

“But the truth is that if you have to live a life of honesty and integrity, you have to become a rebel. There would be some times you would be asked to do something, but you would say no, this is not right. And when you say that, you will become a rebel. You may even become a persona non grata.

“Our country, there is no country that we can call our own except Nigeria. Our country, Nigeria, needs more rebels. Those who would look at things straight in the face and say: this is not right, this, I will not be part of, this is not good for Nigeria.”

Obasanjo stressed that more rebels who would stand and speak for the truth were required for Nigeria to move forward.

According to him, whoever must live a life of honesty and integrity must be a rebel as Nigerians have no other country to call theirs.

“Our country, Nigeria, needs more rebels. Those who would look at things straight in the face and say, This is not right! This, I will not be part of, this is not good for Nigeria”, he said.

He saluted the octogenarian for living “an exemplary life worthy of emulation by the younger generation.”

The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, also gave a speech at the event titled “Worthy Nation Building Legacies By The Older Generation Of Nigerians.”

Bakare called for inter-generational reintegration between the older and younger generations, as part of efforts to rebuild the country.

He said it is a shame that while younger generations are taking over leadership positions in other countries, the older generation refuses to leave the stage in Nigeria.

Bakare stressed that the effort to rebuild the nation had suffered because of the marginalisation of the youth and the progressives who abandoned politics.