Says IBB, misunderstood by many people
*He’s generous to a fault, never betrays friendship – Akilu

*Former Military President absent, attends virtually

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalam Abubakar, yesterday, said that the clamour for self-determination and secession in different parts of Nigeria was not a good omen given the network of relationships binding the various ethnic groups in the country.

Abubakar stated this at the IBB Legacy Dialogue, a special event organised to commemorate the 80th birthday anniversary of former Military Head of State, President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida in Abuja.

The event, which was organised by the Ibrahim & Mariam Babangida Presidential Library and Museum, held under the theme: ‘IBB, the Man, His Vision, His Legacy’, attracted a crowd of dignitaries and eminent personalities from across the country.

Abubakar observed that breaking up Nigeria into different countries would even be difficult to achieve and counselled that rather than separation, all well-meaning Nigerians should join hands together to build a more united and stronger nation.

According to him, a better management of the nation’s diversity would resolve most of the current agitations and other challenges facing the country.

“All that I will say is that we should strengthen our diversity. Let us try to see how we can sink our differences and continue to live together in peace. Even if you say you want to break Nigeria, how are you going to do it? Everybody, every Nigerian is connected one way or the other. Everywhere you go in the village you’ll find a Hausa man, a Yoruba man, an Igbo man, Itsekiri man and so on and so forth. So when you say you want to divide, where do you draw the line with the intermarriages and so on and so forth? It’s going to be a difficult task,” he said.

The former military leader acknowledged that Nigeria was passing through a difficult period in terms of insecurity but expressed optimism that the challenge could be surmounted if Nigerians worked collectively on the issue.

“All I will say is that we have insecurity and all hands should be put on deck to address it. All these culprits, the Boko Haram, bandits, kidnappers and whatever name they are called, are living among us and definitely, they are known. So let us report them to the authorities and let us put our hands together to tackle the security challenges,” he said.

In his tribute to the octogenarian, Abubakar described Babangida as one of the most misunderstood leaders Nigeria has ever produced in its history.

“I said so because a lot of things are put in his mouth and whatever he says is twisted to suit whosoever is passing on the message

“Right from childhood, Ibrahim had shown qualities of leadership because right from elementary school he was made a monitor in the class and in our last year in secondary school, he was made a head boy. After secondary school education, he joined the military and as an officer and a gentleman, leadership is about caring and about managing resources, people and personnel under you. He exhibited these leadership qualities even before he became an officer,” he said.

Business mogul and publisher of Champion Newspapers, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu described Babangida as a detribalised leader who embraced all Nigerians and did not discriminate against anyone based on his or her ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.

Iwuanyanwu disclosed that it was that broad minded disposition that made IBB hunt and recruit seasoned professionals with whom he worked during his tenure.

He said that though Babangida has been vilified for some of the policies, programmes and actions taken during his regime, he remains, by and large, one of the most successful leaders Nigeria has ever produced.

On the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, Iwuanyanwu said that it could not have been the personal decision of Babangida even though the buck stopped at his table at that time.

“There is no way one man would take such a decision alone. If it was a personal decision of IBB, then the other members of his cabinet at that time would have resigned their appointments and positions,” he said.

Also speaking on the misconceptions about Babangida, a former President of the Senate, David Mark said the ex-military ruler has a lot of admirers just as he has so many detractors. Mark, who was Military Governor of Niger State and Minister of Communications during the Babangida regime, said that one thing that was established at the event was that Babangida had a human heart, feelings, a personal touch that he brought into governance.

“The way he sympathises with people is unique and truly, it is very, very unique.”

Former head of the Department of Military Intelligence (DMI), Brig Gen. Halilu Akilu, described Babangida as a gifted person who is kind to a fault. According to him, Babangida is a reliable personality who is loyal to his friends and will never betray them.

Akilu debunked the insinuations in many quarters about Babangida and one of his late friends, Major Gen Mamman Vatsa who was implicated in a military coup and executed under Babangida’s watch.

Akilu argued that it was wrong to regard that incident as a betrayal of a friend, stressing that Vatsa underwent a normal trial process under military law and was found guilty; hence he had to face the consequences of his actions.

The event, which was streamed live on national television and various social media platforms, also featured a virtual session during which other past leaders of Nigeria including General Yakubu Gowon, Goodluck Jonathan and Ernest Shonekan paid glowing tributes to the celebrant and extolled his virtues.

Although Babangida was not physically present at the event, he made a surprise virtual appearance during the session to acknowledge the tributes and goodwill messages. He expressed appreciation to the organisers of the event and prayed for every one of them and the country.

https://www.newtelegraphng.com/secession-why-nigeria-must-not-disintegrate-gen-abubakar/

He must be joking

no northerner would like to see Nigeria disintegrate,they gain too much from one Nigeria.

What a good comedian, it's being together by force? Why can't we be good neighbours since the marriage is not working.

DAGRIN (RIP) :

I DREAM TO BECOME NIGERIAN PRESIDENT ONE DAY

THE MONEY THAT PRESIDENT STOLE IS ENCOURAGING ME

BUT THE CURSES THAT PEOPLE GAVE THEM IS DISCOURAGING ME

Yes, we won't let it.

We know it is private firm

North is one Nigeria and one Nigeria is north

What exactly are they scared of, free oyel Money from the south I guess

Bunch of i.diot.ic Unity beggers

In Nigeria even robbers give national advice

insidelife22:
no northerner would like to see Nigeria disintegrate,they gain too much from one Nigeria.

yes now

they just wake up and spend free money, especially their elite class, they just roll up their motor car glasses and pretend as if they dont see people suffering

Ok keep hopi

These northern parasite keeps amusing me.

Youths be wise, the country is long dead and can never get better. The only solution is to do away with this northern terrorist.
Biafra and Oduduwa will be among the top 3 best countries in Africa, we are smart, intelligent and have all it takes.
#UnitedIgboYoruba WeMoveTogether
#ReferendumNow
#EndNigeriaNowNow

“All I will say is that we have insecurity and all hands should be put on deck to address it. All these culprits, the Boko Haram, bandits, kidnappers and whatever name they are called, are living among us and definitely, they are known. So let us report them to the authorities and let us put our hands together to tackle the security challenges,” he said.

He forgot to mentioned killer herdsmen, because of Buhari his brother.
How I wish someone can bomb that gathering of evil men we called leaders, that person is hero

Talk to buhari to stop the nepotism and bigotry before advising the secessionist

The people against regional government controlling their resources and security are the people calling for disintegration of Nigeria

Break the rubbish contraption already! Nigeria is not the first country to break up and won't be the last! People also had same thought about Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, Sudan, Ethiopia etc but they're now all history, and Nigeria will equally become history soon. No amount of rhetoric will stop it because the rot has festered beyond redemption.

And who says it would be difficult to divide? It wouldn't at all, because Africa is now more integrated regardless of national borders so Nigerians will still interact with each other but now as nationals of different countries.

It is a matter of time.

By force by fire fake unity can never yield progress and peace, it will always be from one problem to another... Even in the face of reality we keep deceiving ourselves and denying the truth.

Nigeria is a country of many nations, one nation(Northern nation) is acting lord over other nations and you expect a progressive peaceful country.

It’s just a matter of time, but presently the other nations mumu never do. They are still acting subject to nation in charge.

The apostles of "settled issues". Settled by the military in favor of the north. It is in the interest of Africa for Nigeria to break into manageable countries.
I don't want a country where our diplomats are beaten up like someone who stole a goat at Oyingbo market.

By mention of Division, every northerner both death or alive will wake up begging.
People with different ideologies and value system cannot cohabit together, division is better for all of us.






I rep BIAFRA

Oga Abdusalam Buhari and northern leaders want to divide the countey. They are killing and destroying christians, Buhari send soldiers to kill Igbo youths and keep protecting fulani and Terrorist groups.