General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, IBB (rtd), a former military leader, has urged Nigerians not to give up hope, saying that with prayers and perseverance, the current crisis will soon pass into history.
General Babangida gave a speech after being visited by members of the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Niger State Chapter, led by its chairman, Mustapha Bina, to celebrate his 81st birthday.
He said, “Nigerians should not give up hope over the challenges bedeviling the country because this too shall pass.”
According to him, “you as journalists must ignore politicians and individuals who preach hate and disunity as the election campaigns heighten towards the 2023 general elections.
“I plead with us to be patient with one another and be prayerful. We need to continue to sensitize people on how to live in peace and harmony and I implore those behind series of insecurity across the country to have a change of heart.”
He urged Nigerians to continue to have faith in the unity of the country and should always be positive and remain resolute that Nigeria will get better.
He said as Journalists, “You can only do this through objective reportage and I like the debate that is ongoing in the media, it is giving the people the insight that they need to see.
“What you are doing now is enough to promote the unity of the country and You can still change the psyche of Nigerians and so, I implore you to ignore those that preach hate and disunity. Ignore them and don’t bother about them.”
On his life at 81, the former Military President said he said: “I give thanks to God for keeping me through these years.
“The lessons I have learnt over the years that have shaped me are patience, faith and respect for every human being and Nigerians should learn to imbibe these virtues. “