HOW OBASANJO'S BEST FRIEND, ANDREW YOUNG ESCAPED BOARDING THE CRASHED FLIGHT THAT KILLED MYLES MUNROE

Ambassador Andrew Young

-How He Opted Out, Citing Bad Weather
-His Many Close Shave Encounter With Death

Former U.S. Ambassador, Andrew Young escaped death by a whisker last weekend. Unknown to many, the 81-year old global icon was scheduled to be on the ill-fated flight that killed Dr. Myles Munroe, his wife, Ruth and seven other passengers last Sunday. 

The Lear 36 Executive Jet had taken off from the Bahamian capital of Nassau and crashed while attempting to land at around 5 p.m. local time in Freeport, according to a statement from the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.

The ELITES gathered that Young was scheduled to fly on the ill-fated flight, but, felt "guided by the spirit" not to get on board. Thus, he changed his mind at the eleventh hour, citing bad weather. The former U.N. ambassador and Atlanta mayor was scheduled to

Obasanjo with Chris Tucker at his Otta farm

deliver a speech to the Global Leader Forum organized by Munroe.

Young is a very close friend of former president Olusegun Obasanjo. Their friendship spans over 40 years. He is a frequent visitor to Obasanjo's home. In 2010, he had facilitated the visit of Chris Tucker, the hugely popular American comedian and actor, to Nigeria. It is also pertinent to add that Young had served as the guardian to Obasanjo's son, Muyiwa (the only son of former the late Stella Obasanjo), during his college days in Atlanta.    

Since leaving political office in 1989, Young has founded or served in a large number of organizations founded on public policy, political lobbying and international relations, with a special focus on Africa. He has spent his life dealing with domestic and international controversies, often using his negotiating or diplomatic skills to try to bridge the chasm between opposing sides. In his 82 years, Young has been a pastor, civil rights leader, congressman, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Atlanta mayor, Atlanta Olympics leader and international business consultant.

Also, Young has been a witness to history, including the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and he has been an active participant in shaping it.

In September 1999, Young was diagnosed with prostate cancer which was successfully removed with surgery in January 2000.