Featured, Politics
By Anayo Ezugwu
AS the debate over cracks in Nigeria’s unity continues, President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the country as an indivisible geo-political entity is more beneficial to its citizens than becoming units of nationalities. He charged Nigerians to collectively resolve to continue their journey beyond the recorded 60 years on the understanding that Nigeria as a geo-political entity will be more beneficial to every citizen.
In his Independence Day nationwide broadcast, Buhari said citizens should continue to do the right things to promote unity and understanding among the diverse ethno-religious groups in the country to achieve the desired goals of nation-building. “We are greater together than being smaller units of nationalities.
“Fellow Nigerians, our history has shown that we are people that have the capacity to live peacefully with one another. Fellow Nigerians, to achieve the great nation we desire, we need to solidify our strength, increase our commitment and encourage ourselves to do what is right and proper even when no one is watching.
”Let us collectively resolve to continue our journey beyond the 60 years on the clear understanding that as a nation we are greater together than being smaller units of nationalities. By the sufficient grace of God, we shall come through current transient challenges,” he said.
Buhari noted that there is a need for the country to begin a sincere process of national healing. He said the current anniversary presented genuine opportunity to eliminate divisive tendencies among the people. He advised citizens to always discard acts capable of dividing the nation or promoting primordial sentiments.
”We need to begin sincere process of national healing and this anniversary presents a genuine opportunity to eliminate old and out-worn perceptions. The stereotype of thinking of ourselves as coming from one part of the country before seeing ourselves as Nigerians is a key starting point to project us on the road to our deserved nation’s evolution and integration.
”To start this healing process, we are already blessed with the most important asset any nation requires for such – our people– and this has manifested globally in the exploits of Nigerians in many fields. It has been demonstrated time and time again that Nigerians in the Diasporas frequently excel in science, technology, medicine, sports, arts and many other fields. Similarly, the creativity, ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Nigerian at home have resulted to global recognition of our endeavours.”
The president expressed his optimism that Nigeria would achieve its set goals if citizens collectively pursued the nation’s aspirations together. ”I’m convinced that if we pursue our aspirations together we will be able to achieve whatever we desire,” he said.
According to Buhari, Nigerians irrespective of their geo-political backgrounds must continue to show genuine commitment toward the survival of the country as a geo-political entity no matter the challenges facing the nation. ”I chose the path of self-reflection because this is what I do on daily basis and I must confess that most times, I always felt the need for collective reflection.
“I know that the foundation for a solid future which this administration is laying can only be sustainable if there is a collective commitment by Nigerians. Nigeria is not a country for Mr. President, any ruling or opposition party, but a country for all of us and we must play our part, irrespective of the challenges we face to make this country what we desire. To achieve this, we must focus our minds together as people on ways of resolving the identified critical challenges that underline our present state.”
– Oct. 1, 2020 @ 10:09 GMT |
Tags: Nigeria @60: We are greater together as one – Buhari
