'There Will Be A Country Called Nigeria By 2023'- Ned Nwoko Says, Kick Against Separation

Nwoko said this in a lecture organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abuja Council, on Saturday June 12.

"there are important justifications for some of the clamors, especially when you look at the South-east and the level of perceived injustice overtime.

"If I were to be cynical, I'd probably have said how are we sure that there would be election by 2023, let alone talking about elections. But I'm an optimist, I believe in the unity of Nigeria, I love Nigeria.

"I believe there will be a country called Nigeria by 2023. I believe the clamor for disintegration or regional powers is political. That is not to undermine the fact that there are important justifications for some of the clamors, especially when you look at the South-east and level of perceived injustice overtime.

"Nigeria of today is quite different from the Nigeria of three years ago when the federal government was just concerned with Boko Haram in the North-east.

"The federal government is not only distracted with what is happening in the North-east and North-west of Nigeria, but currently faces huge challenges in the South-east as well as North-central. A lot has been happening in Benue state and of course South-west as well. But I believe the federal government is equal to the challenges that we are currently facing.ÔÇØ

On the current debate on suspension of twitter in Nigeria, Nwoko said he supported the federal government's action, adding that there must be a measure of control and regulation for social media in countries where they have presence.

He also stated that the social media platforms must pay taxes to governments and provide employment for some Nigerians for the over 100 million population that subscribed to their services.

"On the current issue with twitter, I wholeheartedly support the position of the federal government,ÔÇØ he said.