Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised concerns that Boko Haram insurgency is gradually becoming entrenched in Nigeria, warning that the country must ask itself hard questions about how it has handled the crisis over the past 15 years.
Speaking at the public presentation of the book Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, Obasanjo said the insurgents initially sought little more than “a better life,” but their campaign of violence has now turned into a national monster.
“In short, they were looking for a better life. And any other thing attached to that is a better life for them. Have we understood that? If we have, have we taken the steps that we should take?
“If we have, why are we, after 15 years, Boko Haram is now virtually becoming part of our life. Should we accept that? If we should not accept it, what should we do? How much do we know — even from the other side, and from this side?
“Have we been active enough? Have we been proactive enough? I think we have to ask ourselves the necessary questions to be able to deal with this thing that is now becoming a monster within our country,” he said.
The former President explained that his decision to write the foreword to the book was motivated by his anxiety about the insurgency and its long-term consequences for Nigeria.
“That was why I was very anxious, if I can put it that way. And I was delighted to write the foreword. And having written the foreword, I thought my work, my job was done,” he said.
Earlier, Obasanjo had set the tone for the event by laying down speaking rules, noting that only the keynote speaker, book reviewer, author, special guest of honour, and the President’s representative were exempt from a five-minute speaking limit.
“Everybody else that will speak is given only five minutes, except those five people. And if you are speaking more than five minutes, I will clear my throat. If you do not take note of that, if I clear my throat the second time, then you will be switched off. And I don’t think you will want to have that. Now, we will leave here not a minute later than one o’clock. Your eminence, agreed. You see, my first task is done,” he said with humour.
Obasanjo also recalled a story from his village to underline his sense of duty in chairing the occasion.
“In my village, a policeman, very tough, was always given a very difficult investigation to carry out. And when you went to beg him, he was an illiterate, he never went to school. And when he wanted to show you that he was a no-nonsense man, he would say, ‘My duty must be done.’ So my duty must be done. Your eminence, my duty has been done,” he remarked.
The event brought together dignitaries, religious leaders, traditional rulers, and senior government officials to reflect on Nigeria’s prolonged battle against insurgency and chart ways forward.
Boluwatife Enome
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