Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians to live purposefully, cherish relationships and pursue their dreams without delay, as he reflected on life, aging and personal experiences in an emotional message shared with citizens.
In the widely circulated letter, Obasanjo, who is 94 years old, said advancing age had given him a deeper appreciation of life's fleeting nature and the importance of making every moment count.
The elder statesman noted that while many people assume life is long, his experiences had taught him otherwise.
"Life is not long; it passes in the blink of an eye," he wrote, adding that his reflections were intended to encourage others to focus on what truly matters.
Drawing from his personal journey, Obasanjo said much of his life was spent waiting for future milestones instead of appreciating the present.
According to him, he looked forward to graduation while in school, anticipated weekends during his military career, awaited his children's adulthood after marriage, and later looked forward to retirement, only to realize that life itself was unfolding in those moments.
"There is no final destination; the journey itself is life," he stated.
The former president also reflected on the pursuit of wealth and material success, describing them as insignificant when viewed from the perspective of old age.
He recounted spending decades working hard to accumulate wealth and status, only to realize later that many valuable moments with family members had been lost in the process.
Obasanjo recalled turning down an opportunity to share a simple moment with his daughter when she excitedly invited him to see an insect she had discovered in the garden.
"I told her, 'Not now, I'm working.' To this day, I still feel the pain of that missed moment," he wrote.
On the importance of reconciliation and human relationships, Obasanjo narrated how a disagreement with a brother led to years of separation because neither party was willing to make the first move toward peace.
He said he eventually received news of his brother's death before they could reconcile.
"That was when I realized that I had been right, but I had lost my brother," he stated, urging Nigerians to forgive quickly and mend broken relationships.
The former president further encouraged citizens not to allow fear to prevent them from pursuing their aspirations.
He revealed that he had once dreamed of becoming a writer but never completed a book because of fear of failure and criticism.
"The greatest tragedy in life is not death; it is the dreams we bury while we are still alive," he said.
Obasanjo advised Nigerians to take bold steps toward achieving their goals, stressing that it is better to try and fail than to live with regret over opportunities never pursued.
In his concluding remarks, the former president called on Nigerians to appreciate the gift of life, let go of unnecessary worries and make meaningful use of every day.
"You are still alive. You still have another day. Do not waste it," he wrote.
The message has attracted widespread attention on social media, with many Nigerians describing it as a powerful reflection on life, family values, forgiveness and the enduring pursuit of purpose.
Many observed that the letter offers a rare glimpse into the reflections of one of Nigeria's most prominent statesmen, while encouraging citizens to prioritize relationships, personal fulfillment and service above material possessions.
