Cameroonian mixed martial arts champion Francis Ngannou has met with the former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, as part of his tour to prominent African figures.
The MMA heavyweight champion posted a picture of himself with the former president on his Facebook page in January. He described the meeting as an honour.
He expressed gratitude for the insights shared by the former president.
“It was an honour meeting the legendary former Nigerian president, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, yesterday at his home office in Abeokuta. It was great receiving some words of wisdom from the legend.”
His post attracted numerous reactions from fans. While many appreciated and congratulated him on the honourable visit, others used the opportunity to draw comparisons between Nigeria’s democratic transitions and Cameroon’s long-standing leadership under President Paul Biya.
“It’s really admirable that Nigeria has a lot of former presidents, unlike my country (237),” commented a fan.
Another fan remarked: “Also work in favour of Biya’s way out so you can visit a former president of Cameroon in Mvomeka.”
Fans Hail Obasanjo’s Leadership
Supporters familiar with Obasanjo’s leadership praised his democratic policies.
“H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo played a huge role in the Cameroonian-Nigerian border conflict resolution. The Greentree Agreement was structured to end the dispute that would have escalated into war. Posterity will judge all,” commented another fan.
A different admirer wrote: “The man who brought 21st-century democracy back to Nigeria. A living legend. I absolutely love President General Obasanjo. Great meeting there, Francis.”
In addition to his meeting with Obasanjo, Ngannou spent time in Lagos, where met with Nigerian Grammy winner, Burna Boy.
He also met with the former UFC welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman.
These interactions highlight Ngannou’s commitment to engaging with influential African personalities across various fields. His goal is to promote unity and collaboration within the continent.
Obasanjo’s Towering Legacy
H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo is a renowned Nigerian statesman, military leader, and politician known for his pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s modern political landscape.
Born in 1937 in Abeokuta, he began his career in the Nigerian Army, where he played a significant role in ending the Nigerian Civil War.
Obasanjo first became Nigeria’s Head of State in 1976 and made history by voluntarily transferring power to a civilian government in 1979.
He later served as a democratically elected president from 1999 to 2007, implementing major economic reforms, tackling corruption by creating the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and securing debt relief for Nigeria.
Beyond Nigeria, Obasanjo is celebrated for his peacekeeping and mediation efforts across Africa.
He was particularly influential in resolving the Cameroon-Nigeria border dispute through the Greentree Agreement.
His advocacy for democracy and governance continues to shape his legacy.
Since leaving office, he has remained active in international diplomacy and development initiatives, influencing political discourse and contributing to conflict resolution efforts worldwide.
