By Ubong Sampson
A united Nigeria built on the strategic benefits of diversity drawn from the constituent parts of our country is possible. This is the postulation of Governor Udom Emmanuel as contained in his lecture on the theme Nigeria: Unity in Diversity, at the National Lecture Series of Arewa Media Interactive and Development Forum, held at Arewa House, Kaduna. The event which had eminent personalities like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON, Governor Nasir El-Rufai who was represented by His Commissioner for Human Services, Hafsat Mohammed Baba, Amb. Shehu Malami, Mr. Boni Haruna, Sen. Abdul Ningi, Sen. Ehigie Uzamare among others.
In his lecture, Gov. Udom Emmanuel posited “We must work to restore hope and confidence by actively ensuring that there is a sense of belonging and inclusion imbued in our citizens. Far too many of our compatriots identify more with their tribe and ethnic group than with our nation. We don’t need more Ibibios, or Fulanis, or Igbos, or Yorubas, or Ijaws, or Hausas. What we need is more Nigerians!”. He stated that each time the nation rose as a united force, we were unconquerable and eventually successful.
He advocated further that “Nigerians must be reminded that we do not need to see eye to eye, in order to walk hand in hand. Our enemy is on the horizon and we must hold our hands together and march on until that enemy is defeated. United no foe can defeat us. This is the Nigeria we must work to unveil.”
Governor Emmanuel stated that the virtues of equity and equality if applied, is the panacea for a unified Nigeria. He said, “the situation where any part of the country is denied commensurate benefits from resources harnessed from that part will only further alienate the people there and weaken our bond as a country. We must work to restore hope and confidence by actively ensuring that there is a sense of belonging and inclusion imbued in our citizens.”
