Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo Inspires Nigerian Youths On MTV

Politician, soldier, farmer and born again Christian Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has inspirational words to share with the young panellists featuring in MTV Base Meets Olusegun Obasanjo with MTN. Asked his advice on how young people can find their niche in the world, Chief Obasanjo says, �You must make up your mind what you want out of life. That thing that you have chosen, you must never give up. Whatever your hands and your head find to do: do it with all your might!� Chief Obasanjo met with MTV Base VJ Vanessa Mdee and a group of ambitious and passionate young people at his home in Abeokuta in Ogun State, Nigeria in June 2012 as part of the MTV Base Meets�with MTN mentorship and youth empowerment initiative, which connects thought leaders and influencers with young people. Chief Obasanjo also speaks about his support for the democratic process, saying, �There�s no better form of government. Democracy has�its problems, [but] it�s still the form of government that allows for participation by the people, consultation, dialogue � even protests�. It�s the form of government that makes you to be able to call your own leaders to order. Now, positive protest is part and parcel of democracy and when I say positive what I mean as much as possible non-violent�It should be the responsibility of all us to make democracy strong: to deepen it and weld it into this country. Because we have no alternative � that is why I always cry against those things that will militate against democracy.� ��You must make up your mind what you want out of life. That thing that you have chosen, you must never give up. Whatever your hands and your head find to do: do it with all your might!� Chief Obasanjo concludes. Other topics to be covered by Chief Obasanjo include the value of education, pivotal moments in his life, the joy he found during his time in prison (where he grew maize for all the inmates), and his love of dancing and music � particularly Bob Marley! Among the seven young people who had the opportunity to meet and interview Chief Obasanjo were Rwandan law graduate and baking entrepreneur Sandrine Kabzanguka (25), 26-year old business graduate and actress Kocabelle Gueminifrom Cameroon, Nigerian oil industry engineer and entertainer Daniel Effiong (28), Nigerian HR manager Ibilola Fabunmi (27), Nigerian internet entrepreneur Michael Ugwu (31), South African schoolgirl and would-be doctor Omolemo Matloga (15) and Liberian high school graduateand wannabe model Sasha Baker (18). MTV Base Meets Olusegun Obasanjo with MTN premieres on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) on Wednesday 22 August 2012 and terrestrial stations across the continent, including STV (Nigeria), Spectrum TV (Cameroon), Viasat (Ghana), Rwanda TV (Rwanda), Swazi TV (Swaziland), Muvi TV (Zambia) and NTV (Uganda).