Former president, Olusegun Obasanjo has again, expressed his disappointment over the continued existence of Boko Haram in the Northern part of the country, stating that if the current government does not ensure that every child is in school, the militancy may linger till the next fifteen years.
Obasanjo shared the thought on Boko Haram while he was giving a speech at a youth program packaged by the Youth Development Centre in Ogun State.
He equally mentioned that Nigeria’s population may reach around 450 million within the next 30 years, and that could prove disastrous if many children are left on the streets without proper education.
Obasanjo iterated, “There should be no Nigerian child that should be out of school for any reason.
“You have already got your Boko Haram in the next 15 years if you don’t do anything about that. So, whatever you are talking about, unless you take care of inclusivity, you will not get there. Quality is important, but inclusivity is much better.”
He further revealed how he was able to transform the nation alongside the late General Murtala Muhammed, following the civil war that tore it apart in 1970.
Obasanjo, who persistently refers to himself as an optimist as far as Nigeria’s unity is concerned, stated, “Having run the affairs of Nigeria as a military Head of State when some people felt there was virtually no hope, we turned it around.
“I have tremendous hope in Nigeria; I am an incurable optimist about Nigeria.
“During the Murtala Muhammed government and my government soldiers who were working in Lagos and who had to go to an office in public transport did not wear their uniforms, they were ashamed. But within the space of six months, they were proudly wearing their uniforms. So, it can be done.
“Don’t lose hope. The current situation is bad. I don’t need to tell you that, but I can see the light beyond the tunnel. There is light beyond the tunnel.”
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