IRKED by the rate of inflammatory statements by sectional leaders in the county, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has warned those fanning the embers of war in the country to desist. He said Nigeria is a great country with lots of potentials with many imperfections in the system, and therefore, called for correction and not songs of disintegration.

Obasanjo, who spoke during the maiden forum of the Zero Hunger Initiative in Makurdi, Borno State at weekend, said the unity of the country was the responsibility of all. He said: “None of us should be tired of doing our best for this country. I have confidence in Nigeria and we all should. Those who keep singing the songs of disunity, whether young or old, are doing this country a great disservice and should desist. And those who have led this country at any level in the past have greater responsibilities to ensure the country works, rather than singing songs of disunity and war.”

The former president, who commended the Benue State government for its developmental strides, said with more assistance from development agencies, the state would emerge the main food basket of the country. He praised Governor Samuel Ortom for his modest achievements in the state, saying “though I do not eulogise leaders when they are in office but if your daughter dances well in public, you will have no choice but to tell her that she, indeed, danced well.

Obasanjo said that the Zero Hunger Initiative was targeted at the elimination of hunger globally in 2030, adding that the pilot programme in Nigeria focused on five states of Benue, Ebonyi, Sokoto, Borno and Ogun.

—  Jun 12, 2017 @ 13:45 GMT