BE CAUTIOUS OF EXCESSIVE BORROWING, OBASANJO WARNS NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT

The former President in a statement by his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi observed that though there has been no consensus on issues of mobilisation for national unity, stability, security, cooperation, development, growth and progress, adding that such programme, could as well provide solution to the growing insecurity and under development of the country.

“Like in the issue of security, government should open up discussion, debate and dialogue as part of consultation at different levels and the outcome of such deliberations should be collated to form inputs into a national conference to come up with the solution that will effectively deal with the issues and lead to rapid development, growth and progress which will give us a wholesome society and enhanced living standard and livelihood in an inclusive and shared society.”

Penpushing further reports that, Obasanjo  frowned at a situation where almost 40% of the country’s population remains uneducated “to the point of criminality” as he called for adjust, while lamenting that 13 years after the nation’s debt “was resolved under my administration, today we are mired again in debt with the excuse that our debt to GDP is comfortable.

The former President counseled, pointing out that, “Neither a lender or a borrower be” was the lesson I learned in school. “He who goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing” was another one.

Penpushing also reports that, Obasanjo on the national programme explained that, “It will be a national programme. We need unity of purpose and nationally accepted strategic roadmap that will not change with whims and caprices of any government.

He added, “It must be owned by the citizens, people’s policy and strategy implemented by the  government no matter its colour and leaning”, and  also warned on election fraud, which according to him ” undermines legitimacy and it is a killer of democracy.

“To destroy democracy is to destroy hope for most Nigerians and the consequence will be grave. And we must all appreciate that democracy that fails to deliver dividends to the citizenry in terms of security, safety, freedoms and general enhancement of livelihood will lead to frustration and desperation and all other dangers that can follow.”

Penpushing reports that, the Bishop of the Oleh Diocese, Rev. John U. Aruakpor thanked the keynote speaker “for the incisive and breath taking address, which I observed was close to two hours. We cannot continue to thank you for speaking for us. And the House of God shall continue to pray for you.”