Nigerians have been enjoined to embrace peaceful coexistence and harmony as a panacea for national unity and development.
This call was made by a Member of the National Assembly, Hon. Kayode Oladele, in Abuja on Monday in his Eid el Fitr message to Nigerians.
Oladele called for the spirit of unity, tolerance and dialogue instead of the potentially-explosive and divisive statements being thrown into the public space.
His appeal came on the heels of the recent peace-building efforts of the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibajo, which Oladele applauded.
Hw said the greatest challenge facing Nigeria today is the threat to national unity. According to Oladele, who is the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes and represents Yewa North and Imeko Afon Federal Constituency, Nigeria can successfully confront its ethnic nationality question as well as her political and economic challenges if we live together as one indivisible entity bound by love to one another.
He further added that in recent history, there are too many examples of the brutal consequences of ethno-religious violence in Africa, adding: “We as Nigerians, we should avoid such sad incidents on our shores.
“What makes Nigeria thick today is the size of our population, heterogeneous culture and ethnic diversity.
“We should remember that every nation, including the most advanced ones, has its own challenges and passes through different stages of development.
“The same is true of Nigeria because together we had overcome very serious challenges in the past, including the one that almost destroyed the very fabric of our existence as a nation.
“It is therefore, obvious that the present protagonists of war, division and hate have not learnt anything from our historical experience.” Oladele also stated that though Nigeria became independent in 1960, the process of nation-building is usually very long and painstaking.
He said in order to achieve the desired development, both the people and the leadership must express the willingness and determination to make the country work.
He, therefore, admonished Nigerians to concentrate on what binds “us together to make us a unique nation for the common goals of nationhood, prosperity and development, rather than magnifying those minor areas of differences that are common features of nationhood”.
Trending
- OSUN: NANS seeks intervention from Governor Adeleke, threatens protest over fee hike, palliative
- Easter Celebration: IGP orders round-the-clock water-tight security at all public spaces
- Kogi poll: SDP witness contradicts self on alleged ‘affidavit forgery’ against Governor Ododo
- No BoT in Labour Party, spokesman dismisses takeover claims
- Nigerian writer urges preservation of literary heritage amid writer shortage
- Health professionals brainstorm in Abuja, seek drug free society
- CAF announce dates for Champions League, Confederation Cup Finals
- Tayo Ayinde withdraws suit against Gani Adams, restates commitment to peace