By Evelyn Usman

The Zone 2 command, Onikan, Lagos yesterday, described as false, media report that former President Olusegun Obsanjo, stormed out of its First Special Training and Capacity Development Seminar held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Thursday.

News went viral yesterday that Obasanjo stormed out of the event, for being kept waiting.

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo (l) and the Assistant Inspector-Geral of Police, in-charge of zone 2, Onikan, Kayode Aderanti, during the former’s visit as special guest, at the First Biannual Special Training and Capacity Development Seminar organised by the Zone, for officers, yesterday, at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos. Pix by Evelyn Usman

Although the Police admitted that the function commenced late due to exigencies of the Police job. But they maintained that , the former president who was special guest at the occasion, delivered his remarks and also posed for pictures with organisers and participants.

A statement signed by the zonal Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, an Assistant Inspector-General of police , explained that “ Former president Olusegun Obasanjo in his usual fatherly manner and once being a uniformed personnel himself, came into the hall and still went ahead to deliver his remarks as earlier scheduled. He would have shelved his remarks were he truly angry as insinuated.

In fact, the former president took his time to pose for pictures with dignitaries, seminar participants and other people individually, a clear indication that he did not ‘storm’ out of the event as alleged. What was misconstrued as a swipe against the force was nothing but Baba’s usual jolly nature and world famous penchant for throwing banters.

The Nigeria Police wishes to state clearly that it would never disrespect any elder statesman or anyone at all by deliberately keeping them waiting”.