Former President Of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday warned again of a possible collapse of Nigeria, if the Buhari administration looked on while the country lapses into various insurrections and criminalities.


Obasanjo stated that the Buhari government should restructure the country to assuage ill-feelings from contending interests, expressing worry that the federal government appeared overwhelmed by the state of insecurity in the country.

The former president restated his position while delivering a lecture on “COVID-19 Pandemic and Nigeria Security Issues”, at the 2020 Sobo Sowemimo Annual Lecture, organised by Abeokuta Club in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo said the growing incidence of insurgent attacks, cattle rustling, kidnapping, robberies and the like, were clear indication that all was not well with Nigerian.


“Let me lay more emphasis on the issue of security, which, in itself, is serious enough to make restructuring imperative.

“The South-West governors cried out and devised ‘Amotekun’ as a solution or part-solution. We are yet to see how successfully that will be operated.

“Other zones are clamouring for a solution because in no state and in no geopolitical zone is life and property safe and secure.

“Criminality is the order of the day. And it cuts across the entire nation.


Insecurity is one issue of commonality among Nigerians, no matter their tribe, language, religion, geographical location, gender, age or social position.

“If we are all held hostage by criminality of Boko Haram, terrorists, herdsmen/farmers, bandits, kidnappers, militants, armed robbers, then we all have common ground to seek common solution by putting aside governance collapse, incompetence, failure, insincerity and insensitivity and chart a new stable, enduring and generally sustainable basis and platform for the Nigeria federation.


“My personal conviction is that, with the experience we have had operating the current Constitution where we have seen some important aspects of the Constitution being breached willfully and wantonly, and with the centre seemingly being overwhelmed by the issue of security, with crying need from different quarters for reform of the basic structure of Nigeria’s federating units, there is need for the repositioning of our country for the purpose of unity, equity, competence, good governance, security, stability, healthy competition, justice, fast socio-economic development and making Nigeria undisputed regional leader.”


Obasanjo particularly pointed out to President Buhari that even in the latter’s northern domain, there is growing disquiet over persistent insecurity.

“The Northern Elders Forum, through its spokesperson, Akeem Baba Ahmed, had declared President Buhari a failure on account of persistent insecurity within the nation.

“I leave out economy, which is in the doldrums, and fighting corruption where you see more heat than light and which is festering like a bad sore.


“Leaders in politics, private sector, religion, traditional institutions and civil society have cried out against pervasive insecurity in our land.

“Salihu Garba, in his open letter to Arewa governors and legislators, has a lot to say.

“But he begins with, ‘Only insane people can sit and watch their people being killed, women and young girls raped, and sons abducted by some ragtag bandits, kidnappers or insurgent group, whose motivations have been built on demonic ideology, easy access to firearms and our collective failure in providing the desired community-based shepherd leadership and a fit-for-purpose security system’.”


He said Garba cautioned the North on excessive dependence on the Federal handouts and security agents, and that he raised a number of issues and made suggestions that are in the domain of devolution and restructuring with collaboration, cooperation and solidarity.

Obasanjo said: “No one in his or her right senses will go against most of the points Salihu raised in his letter to strengthen Nigerian unity and oneness and enhance performance through devolution and restructuring.”


Warning also that bleak future awaits the country, owing to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the former President counseled that six areas needed quick attention.

1.The first is food availability and security.

2.The second is employment and job security.

3.The third is change in the pattern and style of living, including travelling.

4. The fourth is innovation, science, technology, digitalisation and artificial intelligence.

5. The fifth is local content, raw materials and substitutes.

6. The sixth is diversification of the economy and enhancement of export commodities.


“It is up to us to take these six areas very seriously. With good leadership and right policy and with the public and private sectors working together, and the civil society joining hand, all the six areas can be taken care of and we can safely put the pandemic behind and move the country forward,” the former president said.

According to him, “For us in Nigeria, we have no alternative but to get it right, otherwise, the future will be worse than the present that is uncertain and bleak with economic downturn and pervasive insecurity.”


Speaking, the President of Abeokuta Club, Mr. Tokunbo Odebunmi remarked that the Coronavirus disease was a global concern and that grim figures were presented daily, stating that this demands the input of all stakeholders.

The Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Prof Adewale Musa-Olomu, lamented that owing to the disruption in academic activities by the COVID-19 pandemic, no medical student would be graduating this year.

He said this did not augur well for a country in need of more medical personnel.


Other dignitaries at the event were the Ogun State Commissioner for Health,
Dr. (Mrs) Toye Coker; the Agura of Gbagura, Oba Saburee Bakre and Chief Sofela Sowemimo.

Sir why didn't you do the same when you had the opportunity?

My question exactly he was there for 14 years both as a military and as a civilian president....

Why didn't he do it

Marviey:
My question exactly he was there for 14 years both as a military and as a civilian president....

Why didn't he do it

No body knew Nigeria would be divided like this by then ...during obj I felt Nigerian even as Igbo ...I never felt marginalized ..when uwazirike started his Biafra no body took him serious because then most igbos believed in Nigeria ..but today we can't say the same ..times have changed

Igbochief001:

No body knew Nigeria would be divided like this by then ...during obj I felt Nigerian even as Igbo ...I never felt marginalized ..when uwazirike started his Biafra no body took him serious because then most igbos believed in Nigeria ..but today we can't say the same ..times have changed

Divided in what way? If you are talking about divided countries,talk about Yemen, Syria , Libya

Marviey:
My question exactly he was there for 14 years both as a military and as a civilian president....

Why didn't he do it

Events of a nation are ever dynamic and ever evolving, in no time is the idea of state police and other clamourings more imperative than now.

Cc; helineus

helinues:


Divided in what way? If you are talking about divided countries,talk about Yemen, Syria , Libya

You can keep playing the ostrich game and hiding your big head under a pebble instead of accepting reality by looking up.

helinues:


Divided in what way? If you are talking about divided countries,talk about Yemen, Syria , Libya

My talking about like the Soviet Union division and eastern Europe division

You are Yoruba won't u like to form a country with people of like minds ? Similar values ?

I'm Igbo that's what I want ...a country of Igbo nation ....I want Igbo to control our Destiny out resources our economic policy ...we are ready to sacrifice all our properties outside Igbo land to achieve this even ...that's how bad we want it because we believe in our potential

flyingpig:


You can keep playing the ostrich game and hiding your big head under a pebble instead of accepting reality by looking up.

Jason, the guy that is known for talking to himself...

No grade 8 on this thread?

Igbochief001:

My talking about like the Soviet Union division and eastern Europe division

You are Yoruba won't u like to form a country with people of like minds ? Similar values ?

I'm Igbo that's what I want ...a country of Igbo nation ....I want Igbo to control our Destiny out resources our economic policy ...we are ready to sacrifice all our properties outside Igbo land to achieve this even ...that's how bad we want it because we believe in our potential

Forming a country with who to lead?

helinues:


Forming a country with who to lead?

Your people decide that it's not my business ....

I know as an Igbo mand our constitution would be such that impeachment would be very very easy ...we are Republicans we don't take rubbish from any leader ...not this elected idiots we have that were hand picked by northern backed inec

Igbochief001:

Your people decide that it's not my business ....

I know as an Igbo mand our constitution would be such that impeachment would be very very easy ...we are Republicans we don't take rubbish from any leader ...not this elected idiots we have that were hand picked by northern backed inec

We at SW are not ready to have our own country ( At least for now)...

We wish you SE all the best in your approach of seceding from Nigeria

helinues:
Sir why didn't you do the same when you had the opportunity?

Thank you jare, I was going to ask the same question.

helinues:


We at SW are not ready to have our own country ( At least for now)...

We wish you SE all the best in your approach of seceding from Nigeria

What are u scared of ... thought u have the brains , land and resources

Igbochief001:

What are u scared of ... thought u have the brains , land and resources

Scared??

We don't fight a war we can't win. We'd rather wait till the right time..

helinues:


Jason, the guy that is known for talking to himself...

No grade 8 on this thread?

You are the only grade 8 Zombie on this thread so far.

And I'm not JasonScoolari. He's my boss but I'm not him.

flyingpig:


You are the only grade 8 Zombie on this thread so far.

And I'm not JasonScoolari. He's my boss but I'm not him.

Log on with your regular moniker and continue hailing yourself....

Whenever they lose out, restructuring becomes a new song for them. The navigator is wailing using restructuring as a cover..

helinues:


[s]Log on with your regular moniker and continue hailing yourself....[/s]

Na my boss go give you the perfect quote.

Gerrarahere, full

restruture is d key

THAT'S AN INSTRUCTION FROM ALLAH !!!

GOD PLEASE OPEN UP THE EARS OF THIS GOVERNMENT TO YOUR INJUNCTION !!!

THE 2.3TRILLION NAIRA DEVELOPMENT LOAN PUT UNDER THE VP SHOULD NOT BE WASTED TILL AFTER THE GRANTING OF FULL AUTONOMY OF POLICING RESOURCING AND ELECTIONEERING CONTROL TO OUR 36 CONSTITUTIONAL STATES.