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Osinbajo faults calls for Nigeria’s separation

By Terhemba Daka, Abuja
20 April 2017   |   4:37 am
Speaking with delegates of the northern socio-political group, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) who visited him in his office yesterday at the State House in Abuja, Osinbajo condemned those who see nothing good in the unity of this country.

Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has faulted the calls by some Nigerians for a separation of the country. Speaking with delegates of the northern socio-political group, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) who visited him in his office yesterday at the State House in Abuja, Osinbajo condemned those who see nothing good in the unity of this country.

He said that with the diversity and huge size of the country, “it is better to be a part of a great thing than to be one tiny part of something that is not necessarily great.”

“A lot of those who say we are better divided as a nation don’t understand that the greatness of this country lies first in its diversity and then in the size of the country.

“So, I think that we must not allow those who advance personal causes to defeat the very strong objectives of bringing this country together as a nation and forging ahead,” he said.

He told the delegation made up of eminent personalities from the northern part of the country that President Muhammadu Buhari is one leader who possesses the willingness and passion “to ensure this country is a united country.”

He added that the President has shown that “this country has men who are determined to remain honest, straight-forward and are able to speak their minds without deceit.”
Before being presented with publications of ACF by the Deputy Chairman and leader of the delegation, Alhaji Musa Liman Kwande, Osinbajo expressed support for the proposed security summit being organised by the forum. He also underscored the importance of the security summit at this time in the nation’s history, saying: “It’s a very important thing, the security of this country is a very important thing.”

Earlier, in an address read by the Vice Chairman of the forum, Senator Abubakar Girei, the Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum, former Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Coomassie, lauded the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari for its achievements, especially in degrading insurgency in the North-East.

5 Comments

  • Author’s gravatar

    Prof., i thought you were more educated and intelligent than this sham of a presentation, How big is Israel? What have you achieved with your big size? You have not handled a basic amenity as simple as a steady power supply. In science, the small Israel will make your big scattered, purposeless, divided Nigeria look like a Lilliput. I tell you this, i am not an advocate of Biafra but the truth is that separate Biafran state will shock you after existing independently for only five years as a small and united country. The same with Oduduwa or Arewa state. Just know that this coexistence is just for convenience sake and does not add any additional value. Your Nigeria is a big for nothing country.

    • Author’s gravatar

      Are u comparing Nigeria with Isreal?

    • Author’s gravatar

      I concur with you, size has absolutely nothing to do with it, Scandinavian countries like Denmark with a fraction of Nigeria’s population are more technological advanced, prosperous and with better standard of living. The entities in Nigeria were simply lumped together for ease of administration by the Britis. However, with visionary leadership and attitudinal change Nigeria can overcome her challenges. Nevertheless, if it’s only one section of country that glamours for united Nigeria, then that’s an indication that the “arranged marriage” is not working. It is high time the leadership calls for a referendum and settle the issue rather than dictate to the people.

  • Author’s gravatar

    Please I beg to say:- Never insult Israel any more by comparing her to any country even USA. The whole world is running behind Israel as a result of her great, great achievements. So which country in Africa can you compare with Switzerland. None and Switzerland may not be bigger than Borno State. Sorry it is not the size, but the love and commitment that matters.

  • Author’s gravatar

    Until any section earlier called regions can prove they can stand alone through sustaining democratic governance, unity of purpose and none ethnic and religious discrimination, I will maintain that the solution to the quagmire called Nigeria lie not in secession, but atitudinal change, good leadership and practice of true federalism.
    In RS today, the issue being raised is not the performance of Wike, but his being Ikwerre. Same ethnicity as Amaechi and Upland as Odilli.
    Quota and rotation are good examples of how merit is often sacrificed for representation. Every one wants to have a piece of the pie. In the USA election,there was no talk about what State or ethnicity produced previous Presidents.
    Even in LGA Chairmanship it’s about rotation between clans, family groups. We lack unity. Now will secession resolve this or further amplify it?