Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said yesterday that the current security challenges and instability in Nigeria were surmountable and less than civil war.
Obasanjo said this at "The Times CEO Summit Africa: The Growth story," in London.
It was not clear whether Obasanjo was reacting to a comment by President Goodluck Jonathan in January at an inter-denominational service to mark the 2012 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration that the threat and menace of the Boko Haram sect was worse than the Biafran War.
"The uncertainty, instability and security challenges are passing phase and less than the civil war; the situation cannot be regarded as being worse than during the civil war.
"If we can survive the civil war and you know I was part of those who were engaged in the war, I believe that we will survive this too.''
He added: "The challenges look formidable but I believe that President Goodluck Jonathan can do something about it."
Obasanjo explained that in order to address the challenges, government must tackle youth unemployment.
"Employment can solve youth restiveness, regardless of our demographic situation; it can be of advantage or disadvantage depending on how we use it.
"It also depends on how we handle our economy, fight corruption so that the economy will be buoyant and can sustain and create wealth for our population. That will be part of the solution to unemployment.''
On the trade imbalance between Britain and Nigeria, Obasanjo said, "the answer lies with the British authorities.
"What have they left undone that they should have done; Britain should go and find out where they left, is Britain ready to support British companies that are willing to invest in Nigeria or Africa ?
"We are as concerned as the British on the rule of law, especially in our judicial system but that should not discourage them from investing in Nigeria."
"I will say to our friends, you partner with us. Do not tell us not to allow the Indians, Chinese or Brazil to come because they will come.
"Now, what we are saying is this, we have old friends and we are mindful of that friendship but we beg, allow us to make new friends."
Also, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair said for growth to succeed in Africa, Nigeria needed to succeed.
In his presentation entitled, "A new approach to a new Africa," Blair said "Foreign direct investment has multiplied six-fold in the last 10 years, this year China will invest more in African infrastructure than the World Bank." (NAN)
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Daily Trust