If there is any regret former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has, it is the inability of his parents to live and reap the reward of their labour.
They died at ages which did not allow them to benefit from his success.
Obasanjo made this known on Monday on the occasion of his 81 birthday which was celebrated in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He celebrated the event at the Marque Events Centre within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Complex.
Obasanjo said he wished that his parents lived long to witness his success story and reap the reward of their labour.
Obasanjo said his parents sacrificed a lot for him and deserved to be compensated.
His words: “One of the things that I always miss or remember with some feeling of sadness is that my parents left this world too early.
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“They made a lot of sacrifices for me and I wish they have been around to reap the fruits of their labour.”
He said as a Yoruba, he believed that the dead see what happens in the world, hence “looking back,” his parents would be happy about what became of him.
Meanwhile, many prominent Nigerians and groups have sent congratulatory messages to Obasanjo.
In his message, for instance, former Senate President David Mark, described Obasanjo as an uncommon patriot.
Mark described Obasanjo as the father of modern day Nigeria and that he had played critical roles in ensuring the unity of the country.
He said after leaving office, Obasanjo had continued to champion the cause of a united Nigeria.
“No one is in doubt that Chief Obasanjo has demonstrated steadfastness, uncommon commitment and faith in the Nigerian project. All of us owe him that respect and honour,” he said.
The leading opposition party, PDP, also congratulated Obasanjo on the occasion of his birthday.
