Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), has said after 61 years of independence, Nigeria is just struggling and yet to be a nation.
General Babangida stated this when he hosted a pan-Nigerian group called Team New Nigeria (TNN) at his Hill-top residence in Minna, Niger state.
A statement by TNN Monday, quoted the former president as saying: “I think, this is something that is long overdue. I have continued to engage a lot of my friends, brothers and colleagues about this great country. 61 years after, we still talk in terms of tribes, region or religion.
“We are just trying to be a nation, we have not succeeded yet. But, it is a good thing that people like you have come together to say, enough! We have to do something.
“I think your movement is something that is worthy of emulation and it is something to congratulate you about, for coming together from your various professions, tribes and regions. You are the true Nigerians.”
He, however, pledged to mobilise national support for Team New Nigeria with a view to accomplishing the aims and objectives of the group.
The former president who is also the Grand Patron of the group had earlier accepted an honorary membership of the group in October 2021.
President of the group, Dr. Modibbo Yakubu Farakwai had earlier appreciated the good gesture of the former president for accepting to be the Grand Patron of TNN.
He stated that the organization was deliberately crafted to reflect the aspirations of the founding fathers of Nigeria about what an ideal nation should be, adding that, “our genuine quest as members is to instill patriotism in Nigerians.
“We seek to promote genuine democratic values, equality, diversity and inclusiveness, as well as peaceful coexistence and sustainable community development, by engaging support young people, women and men through education, entrepreneurship skills.
“We have already established administrative structures across the six geographical zones to achieve our aims and objectives.”
