Gov Fayemi Says Nigeria Will Overcome Secessionists Agitations

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has again expressed the hope that Nigeria will overcome its challenges, including secessionist agitations and remain united as a prosperous, indivisible nation.

The Governor made the remark in Ado Ekiti on Friday at a dinner organised in honour of members of Alumni Association of the 3rd Regular Course of the Nigeria Defence Academy led by former Senate President David Mark.

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.

A statement on Saturday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, stated that Governor Fayemi maintained that the unity of the country, at this critical moment, was worth standing for.

In the statement, Dr Fayemi said: ” I believe in the possibility of a new and better Nigeria if all would be committed to confronting the challenges that bedevils the country.

“When you see the contributions made by the officers of this set, you will know that in spite of the challenges, the hills that we have transversed right from amalgamation, to independence, to civil war and now to democratization, you see possibility in a new Nigeria, a better Nigeria, a Nigeria that is responsive and responsible and that is dedicated to serving the people is certainly possible and it is ahead of us.

“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 truth to power.”

Governor 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.

“What you see in Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (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 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.

According to him, mutual understanding remains a key word in building a united country.

Founder of ABUAD, Chief Afe Babalola, in his remark, said one of the greatest challenges confronting the country was indiscipline, 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 between 60 and 66, less modification and of course true federalism.”