The Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has bemoaned the high level of insecurity and terrorism that have drastically pulled the nation backward and threatened the peaceful co-existence of the nation.
Prof. Osinbajo who stated this at a book launch to celebrate the 80th birthday of the former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba in Lagos, said the objective of the book, “Battlelines: Adventures in Journalism and Politics’’, written by the celebrant, would assist in nation building, as politicians become more tolerant, devoid of ethnic and religious bias.
While summarizing the content of the book, he lamented the setback insurgencies had brought to the development of the nation, noting that other security challenges being experienced by the country would have been averted, if Nigerians had paid attention to issues that unite the country, rather than playing tribal and religious sentiments on critical national issues.
“Boko Haram insurgency is an evil that must be seen as a common enemy of all sects. The likes of Boko Haram, ISIS and Jihadist Ideologies are based purely on hate, they have no terms or reference for peace”, he noted.
The Vice-President eulogised the elder statesman, Aremo Osoba, as a detribalised Nigerian, who used his professional and political acumen to build bridges among diverse groups in the country to fight for democracy and entrenched the civilian dispensation, calling on young Nigerians to emulate the former Governor, who as a journalist and politician, had made his mark on the sands of time of the political history of the nation.
In his remarks, the former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar, who was the Chairman of the occasion, described the Octogenarian as a general in journalism, who had paid the price over the years, describing the book as a rich, informative and entertaining material for the present day Nigeria.
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who lauded Chief Osoba for his part in restoring democratic governance to the nation, expressed optimism that he would continue to be relevant in national polity.
On his own part, the Senate President, Senator Hamed Lawan, pledged that the present National Assembly would exhibit good leadership qualities as exemplified by the veteran journalist, enjoining the people to unite as no nation could develop without trust among its citizenry.
While pledging to uphold the tenets of good governance by being accountable, fair, responsible and responsive in providing effective leadership to the people, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who also spoke at the occasion, said journalism had prepared the foremost politician for leadership role.
He appreciated Segun Osoba for supporting him during his electioneering campaign, pledging to uphold the tenets of democracy and conscientiously work out ‘’Building Our Future Together’’ mantra.
Responding, the celebrant, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, said he, like many other people who came from humble background, had faced many challenges in life, attributing the successes he achieved to the Almighty God and friends he made across the country.
