On Saturday, Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan paid a visit to former military head of state, Gen Ibrahim Babangida in Minna, the Niger state capital. Babangida recently returned from a foreign meical trip and has not met the president since then.
After the visit, Pres. Jonathan alluded to that, saying, “First and foremost, I have to use this opportunity to appreciate our leader, President Babangida for his leadership. His commitment to ensuring that this country is united and we live in peace.
“Of course, you know that this is the end of the year. Within this period, people pay visits. So I have come to visit him. You know he just came back from a hospital abroad, not too long ago. Since he came back, we have not seen. I need to see my father to know how he is feeling. I am quite pleased the way I have seen him.”
Those who accompanied the president on his trip to Minna include his National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki; his Chief of Staff, Gen. Jones Arogbofa; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Muhammed; former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi and Senator Ahmadu Ali among other dignitaries.
Pres. Jonathan told journalists that security was on the agenda during his discussions with Babangida.
“Of course, you all know that as a nation, we are facing challenges: security challenges all over, not just in the North. Yes, Boko Haram in the North. The South is not safe: commercial kidnapping and robbery.
“He is one of our experienced leaders. As somebody who is sitting where he was before, I need to see them from time to time to listen to their suggestions. That is one of the areas how we can collectively move the country forward and ensure that Nigerians live in peace.
“That is the key thing and I am quite pleased that we had fruitful discussion.” he said.
Also speaking, Babangida called on Nigerians to support Pres. Jonathan: “What I will say is simple: The President means well for this country and he is working well for this country. Anybody who means well for this country should support the President to make sure that Nigeria survives as a united country,” said IBB
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