Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday stated that Nigeria has never been as divided in history, except for the country’s civil war period between 1967 and 1970.
He lamented the continued threats of disintegration resulting from the activities of armed groups in the different regions of the country.
Obasanjo said this at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Union of Journalists’ national summit held at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta.
“At no time in our history, except probably during the civil war, has Nigeria been so fractured in the feeling of oneness and belongingness by the citizenry,” he noted.
“In the last four months, we have an average of twenty hotspots across the country with huge potential for national disintegration.”
Urging the media to play their role in maintaining Nigeria’s unity, Obasanjo, who was represented by Peter Okebukola, said: “The press should mobilise the masses to strengthen the democratic process and play a crucial role in promoting a culture of tolerance, non-violence and mutual co-existence
“For me, this Summit will only be successful if we find a niche for the press in our march to ensuring greater national cohesion, especially at this time in our history,” he said.
“Our strength as a nation lies in our unity and national cohesion and I want to entreat you (the media) to begin to preach the gospel of unity in diversity and unity of purpose and cohesion.”