Former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday attributed the emerging global insecurity to failure by world leaders to engender justice and fairness in the scheme of things. Obasanjo spoke at the 2016 National Summit and 4th International Colloquium, with the theme: “Human Security, Violent Extremism and Radicalisation:
Seeking Sustainable Solutions” held as part of activities to mark his 79th birthday. The event, organised by the Centre for Human Security, held inside the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) complex in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The former president, who spoke after experts had presented papers on security and terrorism, said the international community must address the issues of exclusion and grievances that are capable of igniting violent extremism and radicalisation.
According to him, the international community must rise against global insecurity by engendering justice, fairness and understanding in their relationship with others. He said the option was the only way to ensure sustainable peace across the world as opposed to the current pockets of insurgency in some countries.
Obasanjo recalled that while he was in office as president, he went to Syria and visited a refugee camp, where inmates had been since 1948. He contended that children born in such deplorable condition would certainly have a different worldview and perspective.
He said: “In this matter of violent extremism and radicalisation, the international community is not helping matters. I went to Syria when I was President of Nigeria; one of the places I was taken to was a refugee camp, where those refugees have been since 1948.”
