“I am a strong believer of one Nigeria, but not one Nigeria at any cost, but one Nigeria where every Nigerian can feel proud that he or she has a stake in this country,” the retired general, who fought during the nation’s civil war, said

Mr Obasanjo, who acknowledged that Nigeria is passing through challenges, insisted that “disintegration is not the solution”.

According to him, ”any Nigerian who does not feel concerned about the challenges of the country is a human being without being human”.

“It is better that Nigeria stays together and find solutions to its challenges than for each tribe to go its separate way,” said Mr Obasanjo said.

“I am a strong believer of one Nigeria, but not one Nigeria at any cost, but one Nigeria where every Nigerian can feel proud that he or she has a stake in this country.

“Those of us who have shed part of our blood and sweat for this country, we did so because we wanted a country where every Nigerian can claim as his or her own.

“I believe that if we talk among ourselves the way we should and if we change the narrative, I believe this is a great country.

“The fact that we are not making Nigeria what God wants it to be is not the fault of God, but our fault, particularly the leaders.”

In the midst of the precarious multi-dimensional security and economic challenges facing Nigeria today, regional groups have been calling for the breakup of the nation as presently constituted.