By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has expressed dissatisfaction that citizens of the country remain peaceful and united with one another overseas, but fail to uphold character bame back home.
Describing the actions of some Nigerians as “something else” when they return, the former Nigerian leader urged them to embrace unity and togetherness both at home and outside the country.
Obasanjo spoke at an Evening Reception, held at New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States, over the weekend on behalf of a delegation of eminent traditional leaders and academics which included Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba (Prof.) Saka Matemilol.
In a statement by his spokesman, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo told the gathering that Nigerians in the Diaspora are making the country proud in their different areas of endeavour and urged them to be good citizens of wherever they are domiciled.
“Nigerian nationals are often very united when they are abroad but something else when they return to the country, therefore, I want to urge all to be good citizens, not only where you are, but when also you come home to Nigeria,” Obasanjo was quoted to have said.
The event was put together by the Center for African Studies, Rutgers University, New Jersey, headed by Prof Bode Ibironke and was attended by the leadership of the University, amongst others.
Obasanjo an octogenarian, ruled Nigeria first as a military head of state and as democratically elected leader between 1999-2007.
He has been at forefront in campaigning for unity and peaceful co-existence in a multi religious and cultural society like Nigeria.
