Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday, expressed the hope that achieving the framework for peace and national cohesion for the country was feasible, declaring, "we must not underestimate what we can achieve as people."
He also told the country's youth to accept the fact that the country's destiny is now more than ever before in their hand to make or mar.
Obasanjo dropped these assertions in his keynote address delivered at the opening ceremony of a 3-day retreat programme organized by Shehu Musa Yar'Adua Foundation in collaboration with the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) with support from the Ford Foundation, holding in Abeokuta.
The former President noted that the country needed "not to be singing old narrative songs, which have not worked for us and if there will be that turning point again in Nigeria, it must be now.
"From the submissions that I have from the earlier speakers, Saudatu and others, I can say that I see hope for the country to achieve peace and national cohesion. It is feasible. All we now need is the spirit, which will galvanize all of us, propel us to stand strong and stand firm."
Obasanjo added that the country also needed socio-economic development, infrastructure, employment and empowerment. Again, we need to dialogue enough. Even if we do not agree with ourselves, we still need to hear each other's views, at least understand his points and views. We need to speak and speak up," he declared.
The former President, who further expressed satisfaction over the return of History subject in the nation's education curriculum, said the teaching of the crucial subject was important "as we must not loose sense of history, which in itself can contribute to promoting national cohesion."
Obasanjo observed that since his generation "are at departure lounge, youth of like minds should be ready to key into the Nigeria dream and accept the challenge of turning Nigeria for good. It will not be easy, but achievable," he declared
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