When one questioner began to be shouted down, Obasanjo took the opportunity to try to teach a lesson.
"You must be tolerant now. That is what democracy is all about," he said, quieting the crowd.
Obasanjo cited six major areas that need improvement: expansion of minority rights, gender equality, alleviating poverty, youth development, globalization and cultural identity.
The root of many of the country's problems can be traced back to the profiteering that was rampant for so many decades, he said.
"We have in Nigeria singled out corruption as the greatest bane of our society," he said.
He then declared that an "all-out war" was being fought on corruption.
Obasanjo told the audience that the biggest problem facing Nigeria, and many other African countries, is an overwhelming international debt burden.
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