…Calls For Unity Among Nigerians
General Olu Bajowa(retd) has cautioned Nigerians to learn from the experiences of Libyans after their President Muammar Gaddafi was killed duri g the unrest in the country.
He directed his address to those who displayed Russian flags during the EndBadGovernance nationwide protests.
The retired general in the Nigerian Army handed down the caution on Monday in an open letter to Nigerians in response to the just concluded 10-day nationwide protests.
He condemned those calling for secession, saying they were being driven by ignorance and myopic sentiment.
General Bajowa, who is the Jagunmolu of Ikale Land and Ojagbulegun from The Source, warned that Nigerians should avoid the call for foreign intervention in solving the current socio-economic challenges of the country.
He said no foreigner can love Nigerian like Nigerians themselves, assuring that the nation’s economy would be revamped by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
General Bajowa(retd) said:”Perhaps we need to remind those few Nigerians who delight in singing the songs of war that they are only being driven by ignorance and myopic sentiment; because in actual fact, no one can predict the outcome of any war because no persons or groups have the monopoly of violence.
“Nigeria must avoid falling into the traps of our foreign and domestic enemies, by all means possible.
“Let us learn from the recent experience of a fellow African country, Libya, a once prosperous model African economy, who allowed themselves to be lured into an avoidable war.
“Let Nigerians protect Nigeria and let those who gleefully brandished the flags of some foreign countries during the recent protest be told that no country loves Nigeria more than we Nigerians. And no country is free from one form of challenge or the other.
“Let it be told that Nigeria’s economic challenges did not start today. It is unfortunate that despite being blessed with the most active youth population in the world, we have one of the most unproductive population of import dependent economy.
“It doesn’t take rocket science to know that the way to improve the value of the Naira is to reduce import and increase export. And given the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, I am of the opinion that we can turn the present hardship into prosperity, if we commit ourselves to it.”
Bajowa, however, urged President Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, come up with measures to alleviate the sufferings of the people to to the economic hardship.
He said: “While we salute the courage, determination and sincerity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and his team to turn around the economic fortune of our country and change the mindset -consumption only- of our people, permanently, we appeal to Mr. President to devise more means of alleviating the plight of the most vulnerable Nigerians, in particular.
“This is against the background that there are always avenues to perform better despite the fact that, in the history of mankind, no government anywhere in the world, had been acknowledged to have done enough for the people. Mr. President should consider an urgent review of the immunity and impunity among elected and appointed office holders at federal, states and local government levels.
“In so doing, Mr. President should do whatever he can to bring sanity to governance by enforcing severe consequences as deterrent for the excesses of all top government functionary.
“The President should do whatever he can to reduce the cost of governance drastically to reflect the true state of our economy.
“The President, Commander-in-Chief, may also consider the pros and cons of the constitutional review proposed by the Patriotic Group and act accordingly, in the best interest of our country.”
Bajowa, therefore, called on Nigeria s to embrace for unity and peace for the development of the nation.
He said: “I totally agree with the concept of the campaign to EndBadGovernance, but only as a constructive, nonviolent idea. And the objective should be to pressurise our leaders to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people.
“But I disagree with giving the campaign any political, religious, ethnic or treasonous coloration.
“I, therefore, appeal to all Nigerians to sheathe the sword and forsake all forms of bigotry and work together for the unity, peace and prosperity of our country. We are better off and stronger as one united nation.”