Peace, security foundation for devt – Obasanjo

By ANAYO OKOLI

UMUAHIA—FORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has identified peace and security as the foundation for national development, saying without peace and security, no meaningful development would be witnessed.

Obasanjo called all Nigerians to embrace peace for the good of the nation.

Chief Obasanjo, who was in Item, Bende Local Government Area of the state on a private visit also commended Governor Theodore Orji for the good security network in the state.

The former President, who visited his friend and former president of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof. Joe Iroukwu, saluted Governor Orji’s commitment in tackling insecurity, which once held down the state. He was in Item to attend Item Day Celebration. He also visited the wife of the first Military Head of State, late Aguiyi Ironsi and commended Orji for the development projects he had embarked upon in the state.

“When I met you, one on one, I commended you on the works you are doing. Keep it up,” Obasanjo told the governor, adding that he was happy that Orji was not bringing three different people to commission same project three times.

He also praised the governor for his effort at ensuring that peace and unity was maintained in the state, pointing out that it was a major and basic foundation for development to thrive in any society.

Responding, Governor Orji expressed delight at the visit by the former president, and attributed the success recorded in the provision of security in the state to the state government’s partnership with the Federal Government and the cordial relationship existing between them.