Former President Olusegun Obasnjo said in a speech on Friday at the 2020 Annual Sobo Sowemimo Lecture held at the Abeokuta Club in Abeokuta, that so much has gone wrong in the country, and the need for a change has never been so dire.
He said despite the fact that the country has derailed especially as it concerns the principles of democracy, equity, justice, mutual respect, egalitarianism, good governance, federal character, merit and competence, he however, still believes there are Nigerians “in all walks of life, from all ethnic groups, religious groups, cultural groups, political groups and across age and gender who will work genuinely and sincerely for the emergence” of such a new Nigeria.
He said: “The solution lies in men and women imbued with courage, nationalism, patriotism, commitment, foresight and love in critical mass to spearhead the crusade for new Nigeria.
“Let us launch and promote such a crusade on the slogan, “Security Matters To All; No security, No Nigeria”.
The former president similarly called for serious attention towards the country’s economic challenges, saying that “I see it as a matter of life and death for our country, which must not be toyed with”.
He said: “Insecurity brought about by widespread criminality of Boko Haram, insurgents, herdsmen/farmers conflict, terrorists, bandits, armed robbers, militants, kidnappers, abductors and human traffickers is a new phenomenon that is ravaging the entire country.
“Prompt action is required from all well-meaning Nigerians from across the board as we are all victims and hostages.
“We must not adopt position of mindlessness ‘do nothing’ and allow a few to wreck our present and our future.”