By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo wants a united Nigeria, but “not at any cost”, and warns that “disintegration is not the solution” to the national problems being highlighted by separatist agitators in the South.
Obasanjo, a retired General who fought in the Civil War, is a staunch advocate of Nigeria’s unity, a profile he burnishes with several credentials.
He became military Head of State in 1976 after the assignation of Murtala Mohammed and in 1979 handed over power to Shehu Shagari who won the presidential ballot in the Second Republic.
Obasanjo’s kinsmen in the South West still hold a grudge against him for “betraying” them by handing over to a Northerner instead of Obafemi Awolowo, a South Westerner. The truth, however, is that Awo did not win the election.
After serving eight years as president in 2007, Obasanjo handed over power to Umaru Yar’Adua, a Northerner he handpicked to succeed him, and whose election he superintended.
However, separatist agitation first heightened by Niger Deltans during the Obasanjo presidency from 1999 to 2007, has escalated since Muhammadu Buhari – who also fought in the Civil War – became president in 2015.
The South West has joined the South East and the South South to demand a breakup of the country, even though the level of agitation is different in each zone.
“I am a strong believer [in] one Nigeria,” he said in Abeokuta, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
He made the point at his investiture as a Fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyor (NIS) organised by the Ogun chapter of the body.
Sheath your swords, he tells agitators
Obasanjo urged agitators for the disintegration of Nigeria to shelve the idea and work for the oneness of the country, because “it is better for Nigeria to remain as one indivisible nation than for each tribe to go its separate way.”
He acknowledged that Nigeria is grappling with multiple problems but insisted that “disintegration is not the solution”.
Said he: “Any Nigerian who does not feel concerned about the challenges of the country is a human being without being human.
“It is better that Nigeria stays together and find solutions to its challenges than for each tribe to go its separate way.
“I am a strong believer [in] one Nigeria, but not one Nigeria at any cost, but one Nigeria where every Nigerian can feel proud that he or she has a stake in this country.
“Those of us who have shed part of our blood and sweat for this country, we did so because we wanted a country where every Nigerian can claim as his or her own.
“I believe that if we talk among ourselves the way we should and if we change the narrative, I believe this is a great country.
“The fact that we are not making Nigeria what God wants it to be is not the fault of God, but our fault, particularly the leaders.”
Strength in diversity
Obasanjo argued that Nigeria’s diversity is a major source of its strength and separation would result in “weak republics”.
“One thing that gives us strength is our diversity. If all that we have is Republic of Oduduwa for those who say so, members of that country will be diminished compared to being citizens of Nigeria.
“Citizens of Oduduwa Republic or any other republic borne out of Nigeria will be diminished compared to being citizens of Nigeria.
“In this age and time that we are talking about the reintegration of Africa for economic development, disintegration of any country will be almost idiotic.”
He wondered what would become of the 300 minorities in Nigeria if the three major tribes went their separate ways.
“If we have Igboland as an independent country, Yorubaland an independent country, and Fulani/Hausaland an independent country, where will the Jukuns or the Gbasama belong?
“The only reason they can raise up their heads is because they belong to Nigeria.
“Are we thinking of them or are we just being selfish? We should note that. It doesn’t matter what we do, we will still be neighbours.
“We had seen it before, India was broken into India and Pakistan, they are still at war till today. Yugoslavia was broken into different countries, they haven’t sorted it [out] till today.
“Sudan was broken into Sudan and South Sudan, I don’t believe South Sudan is better for it and that is the truth.”
Obasanjo described Nigeria’s challenges as correctable and surmountable, and counselled that it would cost less for Nigerians to work together for the unity of the country than to break up and be perpetually at war against each other.
“When that happens, we will be spending our money on building armies. I know what is involved in building and maintaining an army which may not necessarily be productive. Let us think about it.”
Surveying Nigeria
He stressed the importance of surveyors, saying the entire Nigeria should be surveyed to achieve economic development and transformation.
He urged the NIS to draft a proposal for the national survey and present it to the government.
“When I was the president of the country, the project of surveying the entire country began, but it got stuck and I don’t know where the project is now,” Obansajo said.
Ogun NIS Chairman Ademola Adewale disclosed that his members have concluded plans to produce a unique digital map of the state.
“This will make us to become self-sufficient in geospatial information and will affect all sectors positively and thereby increase the state’s internally generated revenue geometrically,” he enthused.
