Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has assured the rising wave of insecurity will not consume the nation.
He declared there would be light at the end of the tunnel despite the spree of killings and abductions.
Drawing analogy from the seemingly turbulent scrotum of an adult ram that dangles in every direction but drops to the ground, Obasanjo said he remained an “incurable optimist” that a better Nigeria would emerge despite the escalating security challenges.
The elder statesman gave the words of reassurance during a valedictory and commendation service for retiring President of Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev Dr. Samson Ayokunle.
The service was attended by other dignitaries, including Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun, his Oyo counterpart, Seyi Makinde and Senator Ishaku Abbo (Adamawa North), among others.
The ex-President, who is a member of the Baptist Church, said Nigeria will surmount all the current problems.
He commended Ayokunle for serving the church, which held its 108th session at the Baptist International Conference Centre, Lufuwape Town, along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, meritoriously.
Obasanjo: “When I was coming here, I didn’t intend to make a speech. And you will see that unlike my two brothers (referring to Governors Abiodun and Makinde), I don’t have anything to read.
“If you have brothers like this, do you have anything to fear? So, I told them to make speech and I have come to concur. So, I concur.
“But having concurred, if I don’t say more than that, you will leave here and say ‘Obasanjo is I concur.’
“Is that good enough? My two brothers talked about the situation we are in (insecurity). You know, I’m an incurable optimist about a number of things but particularly about Nigeria.
“Epon agbo wa n fi ni, koni ja (The situation maybe threatening but we won’t be consumed. There will be light at the end of the tunnel).”

By Ernest Nwokolo