Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has identified mismanagement of diversity as the bane of Nigeria’s problem, stressing that without justice, equity and fairness, there can be no peace, not only in Nigeria but also anywhere in the world.
Chief Obasanjo noted that having been involved in peacemaking and mediation over the years, he had realised that peace, security, and stability were essential ingredients of development. He also added that without peace, security and stability, there can’t be development, “and of course you will not get performance without development,” he added.
Obasanjo, who stated this at the National Daily Award in Lagos on Saturday, lamented that Nigeria’s problem could also be attributed to the wrong choices that the leaders have made in the past. He noted that at the time when Nigeria was admitted into the United Nations Organisation, it was described as a giant in the Sun, but lamented that the country had not lived up to that tag.
He said the award was to encourage Nigerians and show them that despite the situation of the country, there are still some spotlights of excellence that should be recognised and celebrated.
To the awardees, Obasanjo said: “It is how you define success that matters, and success to me, means making a place better than you find it. We can achieve excellence, and in fact, we are in the world to achieve excellence, but you have to be different and do better to achieve excellence.
“The purpose of our creation to be where we are in Nigeria is to make a difference, and if we fail to do that, then our life would be meaningless.”
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He also commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, who is one of the awardees, for his sterling performances in the fight against crime as well as protection of lives and property.
Obasanjo affirmed that the IGP deserved the award alongside Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Gov Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, and 44 others for excellent performances in their various fields of endeavour.
He noted that for the IGP to be singled out as the National Daily Man of the Year, showed that Baba has done well. He urged him to continue to do more, saying, “For you to be singled out as Man of the Year by the National Daily, I believe you deserved it. Your job is not one that is particularly glamourous and easy to do for a lazy person.
“IGP, when thieves attack us, we come to you. When we quarrel with our neighbours, we come to you, and you must be ready to answer us, even though we may not show appreciation to you. That is why the award like this that singled you out must be appreciated and commended.”
On his part, the police boss said the award was a motivation for him and his team to do more for the country, even as he promised to do more of what had been done before.
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“We have mapped out a series of programmes for our officers and men, some of them are welfare, quality equipment and a clean and friendly environment for them to sleep. We are ready to fight insecurity more than ever before because the award will be taken as a challenge to do more.
“We don’t want our officers and men to live in a dilapidated building and polluted environment; that is why we entered into private partnership programmes with corporate organisations and some governments to have a befitting barracks for our men.
