Organisers of Quramo Festival of Words regret to announce the unavailability of Nigeria’s former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at today’s festival opening at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Chief Obasanjo who was in Kenya for an important continental assignment had a delayed flight and arrived back to Nigeria early this morning and could not make it to today’s festival where he was scheduled to speak on the Nigerian Civil War, its continuing impact on the country’s quest for unity and national cohesion, among other burning issues.
However, arrangements are being worked out for the former president to still grace the 3-day festival that starts today, Thursday, October 1 and ends on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Quramo therefore apologies to festival guests, friends and sponsors, promising that Obasanjo’s presence at the festival will be announced soon. It will be recalled that the two-time former Nigerian leader also fought as a commando leader in the civil war that lasted from 1967 — 1970. Obasanjo, who has since become a prolific writer, authored one of the major bestselling memoirs on the war titled, My Command.
Chief Obasanjo is known for his steadfast commitment to national reconciliation and healing, which is in tandem with the vision of the convener of Quramo Festival of Words, Mrs. Gbemi Shasore, who believes that the time for a major national dialogue on the civil war is long overdue. The last edition, the 9th and this 10th anniversary edition are therefore her modest ways of initiating conversations that could lead to national healing and reconciliation.