The Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo says there are some similarities he shared with the late Jimmy Carter, a former American President.

Obasanjo listed the similarities at a funeral service he organized yesterday in memory of Carter at the Chapel of Christ the Glorious King in Abeokuta.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Obasanjo, his family members, friends, and associates attended the funeral service.

Obasanjo explained that the service was in memory of Carter’s life and times and his selfless service to humanity through his ‘Carter Centre’.

In his tribute, titled ‘Jimmy Carter: The Departure Of A Titan’, Obasanjo said he shared a lot in common with the late American President.

“In terms of early life background, I shared similarities with President Jimmy Carter.

“He was born into a farming family in Plains, Georgia, and I was born into a farming family in the rural village of Ibogun-Olaogun in Ogun.

“He grew up under parents who were disciplinarians, who instilled in him the essence of discipline, morality, hard work, integrity, kindness and humility, compassion for the poor, and strong belief in God.

My parents inculcated similar attributes in me as I was growing up in a rural area that had no piped water and no electricity, just as it was in Plains, Georgia, while Carter was growing up there.

He beat me, though, in one respect, there was a road to his settlement, there was no road to my village. We walked to every place or, at best, we were carried on bicycles.

President Carter had a military background which I had and we met when I was a military Head of State. But if not that we were both in politics, our paths may not have crossed,” he said.

Obasanjo said he would miss Carter, “a great and true friend but I know we shall meet again in paradise.”

The former Nigerian leader explained that he held a service in memory of Carter, who lived and died almost 5,000 miles away because the late American President was a great world leader.

According to him, Carter was a righteous man whose righteousness spread over the whole world.

He was a lover of humanity, a man of God; and he was a great and true friend of mine,” Obasanjo stated.