Why Nigeria won’t break up — Obasanjo
Nigerian leaders on Friday called on Nigerians to work harder towards ensuring the country’s unity.
They made the call in separate
interviews with State House correspondents shortly after they were
honoured with the nation’s centenary awards at the Presidential Villa,
Abuja.
The event was the second to the last in
the series of programmes lined up to celebrate the 100 years of the
nation’s amalgamation. The last event, which is a special thanksgiving
service, holds on Sunday (today) at the National Ecumenical Centre,
Abuja.
Former President, Chief Olusegun
Obasanjo, said for Nigeria to have survived the first 100 years despite
the various challenges of nation building, the country would not break
up.
“The award means Nigeria is making
progress. If Nigeria survived the first 100 years, it means that Nigeria
has come to stay,” he said.
Former military leader, Gen. Abdusalam
Abubakar (retd.), observed that the nation had come a long way and urged
the future generation to contribute more to nation building than what
the award recipients
achieved.
This, he explained, was necessary to keep the nation as one.
“Nigeria has come a long way and we
thank God. The future generation should try and do better than what we
have done and keep this country together,” he said.
Another former military leader, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, said it was a good thing to be recognised by one’s country.
He said, “The award means a lot to me to be qualified to be recognised by Nigerians. My wish for Nigeria is security.”
The former Head of the Interim National
Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, said the award would spur him into
working harder for the nation.
“The award means a lot to me. It makes me feel to work harder for the unity and progress of the country,” Shonekan said.
Other former leaders, who were honoured
at the event, were former President Shehu Shagari and former Head of
State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon.
Shagari and Abubakar were honoured under
the category of promoters of democratic transition in Nigeria while
Gowon, Obasanjo, Buhari, Shonekan and Babangida were honoured under the
category of outstanding promoters of unity, patriotism and national
development.
In all, 100 persons, both living and
dead, believed to have contributed meaningfully to national development,
were honoured at the well-attended event.
