Former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed claims about his alleged Igbo paternity with a laugh, expressing that no one in Nigeria should be excluded from any part of the country. He emphasized the need for unity despite cultural differences, stating, “We own this country together.”
Obasanjo made these remarks during a visit from the leadership of the Ndigbo Amaka Progressive Market Association at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta. The group, representing major markets in Lagos State, sought his support for the establishment of the Owerri Central Market.
In his statement, Obasanjo expressed enthusiasm about the project, which has been in the planning stages since the creation of Imo State but is now seeing renewed interest. He praised the governor’s commitment to the market’s development and voiced hope that the initiative would succeed, benefiting both the local economy and the broader nation.
He underscored the importance of national unity, recalling how different ethnic groups came together in the past to fight for the country’s unity. Obasanjo asserted that anyone advocating for the exclusion of any group would be the one out of place, reinforcing his belief in inclusivity and cooperation among Nigeria’s diverse populations.
The spokesperson for the Ndigbo Amaka Progressive Market Association, Emeka Emmanuel, assured Obasanjo of their dedication to making the market a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship, and requested his assistance in securing loans for their members to acquire spaces in the market.
