Former President Goodluck Jonathan has lamented that spirited efforts of past leaders, especially those of the First Republic, to unite Nigerians did not yield positive results.
Jonathan said this yesterday in Abuja at the one-year memorial lecture in honour of the late Captain Hosa Okunbo.
According to him, the present crop of leaders inherited a country that was already balkanised into three regions and later four regions.
Speaking on the topic ‘Lasting Legacy: Key to Nigeria’s Development Issues’, Jonathan said that the leaders did their best to also position the country for economic growth and development, but the attempts yielded more to centrifugal forces that reinforced ethnic cleavages.
The former president said that rather than see Nigeria as a united entity, they (past leaders) saw it as a country of different nationalities under which the regions would pursue their different development agenda.
“I believe that the legacy of nationhood and roots of unity were weak at Nigeria’s independence and not much has been done since then to strengthen the base of the union,” he said.
Also speaking, a former governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said Nigerians don’t appreciate leaders until they leave office.
Listen to top Radio Stations in Abia State CLICK HERE
Support Afnews Independent Journalism
At Afnews, we are dedicated to providing accurate, insightful, and timely news coverage. Our commitment to journalistic integrity ensures that you receive trustworthy information, unfiltered and unbiased. To maintain our independence and continue delivering quality content, we rely on the support of our readers.
If you value the work we do, please consider making a contribution. Your support enables us to keep bringing you the stories that matter.
Donate today and help us keep independent journalism alive. Thank you for your support!
