Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has addressed claims about his alleged Igbo heritage for the first time, stating that such suggestions make him laugh.
This comment came as the former President emphasized his belief that no Nigerian should be forced to leave any part of the country, asserting that “we own this country together.”
Obasanjo made these remarks on Thursday while receiving the leadership of the Ndigbo Amaka Progressive Market Association, an umbrella body of major markets in Lagos State, at the boardroom of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Saving Point Media reports that the meeting was highlighted in a statement released on Friday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi.
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There have been past claims that Obasanjo was born to an Igbo father from Anambra State. However, the former President, who has seldom addressed these rumors, simply remarked, “It just makes me laugh.”
During the meeting, Obasanjo discussed the group’s request for his support in establishing the Owerri Central Market, which is envisioned to be the best of its kind in the country.
He acknowledged that plans for the Central Market in Owerri have been in consideration since the creation of Imo State, though it had not yet come to fruition.
“I am glad it is coming up again, and I hope this time, we are all going to make it real. It is going to be big, the first of its kind,” he said.
Obasanjo also expressed satisfaction with the interest and understanding shown by the Imo State governor and expressed confidence in the success of the Owerri Central Market.
He expressed his desire to lead the marketing efforts for the project.
Reiterating his stance on national unity, Obasanjo said, “Having ensured that the Yorubas, Igbos, and Hausas all came together to fight the war of unity in Nigeria, and not to fight the Igbos to go, but to come together, if anybody says to me that someone should leave any place, he will be the one to leave.”
The group’s spokesperson, Chief Emeka Emmanuel, read a letter jointly signed by Chinedu Ukatu and Iwuchukwu Ezenwafor, which highlighted the market’s potential as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Emmanuel assured that the group is committed to contributing to the market’s growth and the nation’s progress.
He also sought Obasanjo’s assistance in helping their members secure loans to purchase shops and spaces in the market, emphasizing that this support would significantly aid in the project’s success.
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