Obasanjo rejects negotiation of Nigeria’s unity for personal interest
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that, the unity of Nigeria cannot be negotiated for personal or individual interest.
He also called on Nigerian media practitioners to make objectivity their watchword and shun reports that could trigger crisis in the country.
Obasanjo stated this at the weekend while playing host to Editorial Board and Anniversary Planning Committee of Penpushing Media, who came to intimate him on the second anniversary lecture of the establishment at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) Abeokuta residence.
In a release by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, the former President said Nigerians should imbibe focusing on the nation’s common identity, value and interest in order to jointly attain a great Nigeria.
He pointed out that, the multi ethnic nature and cultural diversity of Nigeria should be a blessing to the giant of Africa, but observed that the concept of individualism has done more harm than good.
Obasanjo sued for building the nation “on the bedrock of what binds the various entities that make the nation together, strengthen and focus more on common identity, objective, values and interests.”
On the country’s media, Obasanjo said: “The media is supposed to be a servant of the people and if the media stop to be an honest servant of the people then there is no sane society, the media is supposed to bind, not separate people, the people’s interest, opinion on security, national issues should be bond together as a nation, where whatever happens in Badagry should concern someone in the North just because they are binded with one interest as a nation.”
Obasanjo submitted that he was in tune with theme of the lecture, stressing that, “there is no doubt that we needed peace particularly at this crucial period and that is the more reason that you definitely have a role to play build strong institutions in the country.”
Earlier in her speech, the Chairman Editorial Board of Penpushing, Funke Fadugba said the essence of the visit was to pay homage to the former President and intimate him of the programmes of event for the second anniversary of the organization.
She said the anniversary lecture with the theme, “The Media and Quest for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions in Nigeria,” is to be delivered by Country Director of the United Nations Information in Nigeria, Ronald Kayanja.
Fadugba, a two time Chairperson Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos Council further disclosed that, the former Managing Director of Tribune Newspapers, Felix Adenaike is to chair the occasion, with the founder of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi, Prof Lai Osho, Dr Jendele Hungbo and Oba Fatai Akamo as discussants.
She added further that, the lecture is to attract important personalities former governors, governors, media entrepreneurs, media educators, media practitioners, lawyers, the nation’s lawmakers, tertiary institutions, government functionaries, Non-Governmental Organisations, civil Society Groups and those involved, albeit tangentially in the process of making the country’s institutions work.
She added that the event would hold at the Marquee centre of the Library, “which again made it necessary to call on you Sir, that we at home with you on Thursday, July 19,2019.”
Among the visiting team, was former Chairman of the NUJ in Ogun state, Mr. Eddy Aina, Director School of Mass Communication, Dr. Goke Rauf, Mr. Sina Adefolahan and Founder of the Penpushing Media, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji.
