Following the call for Yoruba Nation and the Republic of Biafra by secessionist agitators, the Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Kayode Fayemi has assured that the country will overcome all its challenges and remain united as a prosperous, indivisible nation.
Fayemi gave the assurance at a dinner organised in honour of the Alumni Association of the 3rd Regular Course of the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) led by former Senate President David Mark in Ado Ekiti.
The NDA 3rd Regular Course alumni members including former military Governors Tunde Ogbeha, Col Raji Rasaki were in the state for the Annual General Meeting of the association. Also, the founder of Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, Afe Babalola, was present at the event.
Speaking in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode and titled, ‘Fayemi, Afe Babalola makes case for more united Nigeria, Fayemi maintained that the unity of the country at this critical moment was worth standing for.
Fayemi said that the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been battling with secessionist groups including the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by detained Nnamdi Kanu; as well as the Yoruba Nation secessionist group spearheaded by Prof Banji Akintoye and embattled Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho.
He added that he believes in the possibility of a new and better Nigeria “if all would be committed to confronting the challenges that bedevil the country.”
“All we need to do is commit ourselves to it as a journey and not as a destination. And on that journey, we are going to confront difficulties but there also going to be hope in those challenges and we are going to come out triumphantly, I am confident that Nigeria will triumph at the end of the day but we must speak the truth to power,” Fayemi said.
Restating his confidence that Nigeria would scale through its current challenges, Fayemi urged members of the association and leaders at different levels to be committed to building a Nigeria spoken of in the second stanza of the national anthem – where peace and justice shall reign.
He added, “What you see in ABUAD is a demonstration and reflection of the possibilities of a new Nigeria not through secessionist agitation but through commitment that this country would be restructured, would be accountable and would serve its people in the best manner.”
The governor, who lauded the retired military officers for bonding together since their admission into the NDA in 1967, through their distinguished careers and in retirement, despite their diverse socio-cultural backgrounds, said mutual understanding remains a keyword in building a united country.
Also Speaking, Afe Babalola said one of the greatest challenges confronting the country was lack of discipline, stressing that indiscipline is at the root of all socio-political and economic challenges confronting the country.
“This country is on a precipice everybody knows that we must ensure that we keep this country as one, let us have a new constitution similar to the one between 60 and 66, less modification and of course true federalism,” he said.
