Nigeria better together, says Tinubu

Nigeria is better together, All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said yesterday.

He cautioned those clamouring for secession to jettison the idea, adding that the country had not fully recovered from the effect of the 1967 – 1970 civil war.

Tinubu spoke at the Lagos House in Marina during a Ramadan Tafsir (lecture) organised by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Apart from top government officials led by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat in attendance, others such as: APC leader Chief Bisi Akande, members of Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, were there.

The business community at the event was led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

Grand Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Oluwatoyin Abou-Nolla, led Islamic clerics.

Tinubu said: “For those clamouring for war, God will not allow Nigeria to experience it. If we say Nigeria should separate, people should remember what war caused in Sudan and Iraq. Such wars do not end on time. We are yet to recover from the civil war.

“We are better together. I have nowhere I am going. Whoever has experienced war in the past will not pray for such. Nigeria will not separate; it’s not acceptable to us. Our prayer is for prosperity and more wealth for the country.”

The former governor praised Governor Sanwo-Olu for his achievements so far. According to him, the state had witnessed massive development.

Sanwo-Olu promised more action on security. He said: “We will install 2,000 cameras across the state, and ensure we keep providing the people with dividends of democracy.”

Sanwo-Olu assured that more buses will be provided to end the menace of Okada riders.

He added that more funds would be pumped into the Security Trust Fund to empower the police and other security operatives.

Chief Missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Ahmad, in his lecture, said the nation was in a trying period.

He said the magnitude of the challenges required sincere actions by leaders and citizens to salvage the country from crisis.

The cleric said the citizens were always quick to heap the blame on the leadership whereas the fault was on all citizens.

To redeem the country from its tribulations, Ahmad said all Nigerians must embrace change of bad attitude and thought process.

He said: “This is a time that we require nothing else other than divine intervention. But, Allah will not intervene unless we carry out a few action. We must must change our thought process, the way we act, they we interact and the way we do do things.

“This is a time that not only talk is required, but sincere actions that are back by deep thought about what we are experiencing today and the peace we crave. We often blame the leaders, but we get the kind of leaders we deserve. Our leaders are who we are. To save the country, it is a joint task.”

The cleric acknowledged efforts by the state government to strengthen security and consolidate on infrastructure provision.

In his own lecture, popular Islamic preacher, Sheikh Muyideen Bello, called on all Nigerians to interact with one another with love and respect.

He said the nation would only survive its current tribulations if political leaders and citizens collectively seek repentance for their misdeeds, injustice and failed promises.

Credit: The Nation