Obasanjo: Many Nigerians Are Unhappy With State of the Nation
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said many Nigerians are unhappy with the state of the country and some are considering leaving because they are not getting what they expect from Nigeria.
Obasanjo made the remarks at the 9th Toyin Falola Annual International Conference held at Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State.
The former president also warned that Nigeria could struggle to make progress if it continued to mismanage its diversity and weaken its sense of national identity.
The conference, themed “Religion, the State and Global Politics,” was attended by several prominent figures, including Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was represented by the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Ishaq Oloyede.
Obasanjo, who was a distinguished guest of honour, presented a paper titled “Towards a Re-unification of the Sacred and Secular: Religious Interventions in Politics.”
He argued that religion and politics could not be completely separated because both influence the welfare and wellbeing of citizens.
According to him, religious leaders and political leaders each have important roles to play in shaping society and promoting responsible leadership.
Obasanjo said Nigeria’s diversity should be seen as a strength but warned that poor management of religious, political and ethnic differences could create serious divisions.
He argued that the country was handling its diversity badly and, in the process, risking the loss of a shared national identity.
The former president said diversity must be managed fairly and responsibly, warning that mismanagement accompanied by impunity could produce consequences the country might later regret.
He maintained that most Nigerians genuinely wished the country well but said many had become frustrated because their expectations were not being met.
“I don’t know of any Nigerian who doesn’t wish Nigeria well, but I know many Nigerians who are unhappy and want to leave Nigeria,” Obasanjo said.
He added that the frustration stemmed from a failure of the country to provide many citizens with the opportunities, security and sense of belonging they expected.
Obasanjo also urged religious leaders to provide moral guidance while encouraging political leaders to learn lessons that would help improve governance.
He maintained that better management of Nigeria’s ethnic, religious and political diversity was essential to strengthening national unity and moving the country forward.
