Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised Imo governor Hope Uzodinma to initiate talks with “bad boys”  in order to end the spate of insecurity in the state.

Mr Obasanjo made the call in Owerri during a dinner organised by Mr Uzodimma to mark the former president’s 85th birthday.

This was according to a statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, and made available to reporters on Wednesday.

“Hope is your name, it means a lot because life without hope is meaningless.

“There are three categories of bad boys: those genuinely frustrated and angry, those who are being sponsored by politicians for political vendetta and those who by nature are criminally minded.

“We have to find a solution if insecurity remains a problem in our society. And for the genuinely frustrated and militants, we have to learn to deal with them by talking to them,” Mr Obasanjo was quoted to have said.

The former president also advised politicians to resolve all their differences through dialogue and without recourse to acts that would impact negatively on the society.

Responding, Mr Uzodimma described Obasanjo as “a great pan-Nigerian leader” and said that he was grateful for the opportunity to receive him.

“God has already granted you a long life. We owe him our prayers always.

”The Government and people of Imo State are happy you are in our state and our loyalty to you is undiluted because you have paid your dues,” the governor said.

A highlight of the dinner was the presentation of a birthday cake to Obasanjo by the governor’s wife, Chioma Uzodimma. 

NAN