Former Military Head of State and President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has made a startling revelation about the arrest and imprisonment of General (retd) Shehu Musa Yaradua, Chief MKO Abiola and himself, stating that he was able to survive the evil plan of their captor by the special grace of God.
Obasanjo, who was at Ogbor Uvuru in Aboh Mbaise, Imo State, at the weekend, to commission the state-of-the-art Assemblies of God Church, christened ‘The Noah’s Ark’, built and donated by a philanthropist and Kingdom investor, Barr. Obioma Success Akagburuonye, stated that the then Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha had boasted that three of them would not come out of the prison alive, in order to remain in power perpetually.
He said: “When I was arrested, the man who arrested me, I thought he was making a mistake. He had decided that some of us must be liquidated if he has to be in power permanently. There I was, but then, initially I was confused – I have not done anything wrong. Was it a mistake? When I realised that it wasn’t a mistake I was full of prayer including praying as Stephen prayed but amended my own prayer somewhat – I said whether they know they know what they are doing or they do not know what they are doing God forgive them.
“And I resigned myself into the hand of God and the man who arrested us boasted that three of us will not come of the detention or prison alive – that MKO Abiola will not come out alive, that Shehu Yaradua will not come out alive and that Olusegun Obasanjo will not come out alive. Two of the three he had planned not to come out alive did not come out alive, I did come out alive not because of my power but then special grace of God.”
Gen. Obasanjo, emphasizing that he is a product of God’s grace stated: “If anybody can claim to enjoy the amazing grace of God, I can. I said God has been partial to me in taking care of me.”
He recalled a course he attended in 1959 in Ghana and that out of nine of them from Nigeria that were successful only two of them are alive today, adding, “I am not mocking those who are not alive, may their souls rest in peace, but I’m giving you examples of grace of God in my life because those of them that are not alive, it is not that two of us are better than them. I a situation like that what do I have to give God except to continue to appreciate His grace.”
He commended Chief Akagburuonye, who he likened the grace of God upon his life to his, for investing in God’s Kingdom and building the magnificent edifice, the Noah’s Ark, to honour God and advance His Kingdom.
Obasanjo, who is 88 years old paid tribute to Akagburuonye’s mother who is 104 years old. He knelt down before her to tap the grace of long life, according to him.
Noah’s Ark, an Assemblies of God Church building, a replica of the Biblical Noah’s Ark, in form, shape and service, built in a serene village of Ogbor Uvuru in Aboh Mbaise, Imo State, by Engr. Success Akagburuonye, a real estate mogul, was dedicated on Saturday, May 24, 2025.
The event, which drew a mammoth crowd of faithfuls, pilgrims, tourists, was also witnessed by high profile personalities, including Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Rev. Dr Sarah Seoh of Los Angeles, USA, Rev. Abel Ukachi Amadi, General Superintendent Assemblies of God Church Nigeria, Traditional Rulers, Captains of industry, Political Leaders, among other dignitaries.
Akagburuonye, a die-hard Kingdom investor and philanthropist who said he built the Church by the inspiration and direction of the Holy Spirit captured the implications of the Ark thus:
“The Noah’s Ark Church is a symbol of faith, obedience, and salvation. Noah’s story is a powerful reminder of God’s promise to save those who trust in Him. According to the biblical account, Noah spent 120 years constructing the ark, following God’s detailed instructions. As he built the ark, many mocked him, questioning the purpose and relevance of his endeavor. Yet, Noah persevered, trusting in God’s promises. And when the flood came, it was those who mocked him that were swept away, while Noah, his family, and the animals found safety in the ark.
“Even the snail, often slow and seemingly insignificant, found refuge in the ark, escaping the deluge that destroyed everything else.This story teaches us a valuable lesson of faithfulness and obedience to God. However, this is crucial in life because, even when others doubt or mock us.
” I searched globally for a church designed like Noah’s Ark but couldn’t find one. So, I collaborated with architects to bring this vision to life. We worked together, playing with designs until we arrived at this magnificent structure.
“This church will be a sanctuary for spiritual growth, refuge, and salvation. I believe that anyone who comes to the Ark to call on God Almighty, he or she will be saved, and their desires will be accomplished. This has been decreed by God. It’s a place for physical and spiritual safety. This is in line with the Biblical injunction that, “Anybody that comes to the Ark to call on God will be saved.”