War Imminent If.....Obasanjo

FORMER President, Olusegun Obasanjo, Tuesday, cautioned Nigerian leaders against acts that could lead to another civil war, even as he shunned the request by Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, to lay a wreath at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Abeokuta.

Obasanjo who spoke on the occasion for fallen heroes at Arcade ground in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State, said Nigerians should learn from history. He urged government at all levels to remember the families of the slain soldiers.

Lamenting the loss of many security personnel during civil and international wars, he said Nigerian leaders should ensure that  what led to the previous wars did not reoccur.

According to Obasanjo, “war is not a picnic. When you engage in wars, lives are bound to be lost. That is why, as much as possible, wars should be avoided. For us in Nigeria, even when we were fighting against the colonial power, we lost Nigerians in Burma, in East Africa. But since the days of the constabulary, because that is where the Nigerian Army started from, Nigerian security forces have been losing lives either in support of civil authority or in fighting local wars.

Constant reminders
”The aim  of this celebration is  to constantly remember the sacrifice that the fallen heroes have made. It is also to constantly remind  us that they left families behind who need to be  catered for”

Meanwhile, there was a mild drama at the armed forces Remembrance Day ceremony when former President Obasanjo shunned the request by governor Amosun to lay a wreath.

When Obasanjo’s name was mentioned as part of the dignitaries to lay the wreath,the former President declined despite  pleas by the governor.

The programme was put on hold as many dignitaries including the Deputy governor, Segun Adesegun, the Iyalode of Egbaland, Alaba Lawson, pleaded with him to reconsider his stance.

It was gathered that Obasanjo’s anger was because his name was not in the brochure as part of those that would lay the wreath.

However, governor Amosun, the Brigade Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, E E John, the commandant, Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Abeokuta  M A Adetunji, and the state Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Samuel Olaosebikan among others, laid wreaths.