The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, charged Nigerian leaders on Wednesday not to dismiss concerns expressed by any part of the country about the marginalisation of its peoples.
Speaking at the presentation of a book titled ‘Foundations of Nigeria’s Unity,’ written by Senator Lawan of Cross Rivers Central and Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Cross Rivers State, Lawan warned that doing so would only decimate their patriotism and erect walls of division among the country’s regions, as well as inflame calls for secession.
“It is our duty as leaders to look into those genuine calls when our citizens complain.
“Where we find justifications, we shouldn’t shy away from addressing those calls to make our citizens more patriotic.
“It is a proven fact, as the book argues, that nations are made by men and women, by people and communities, who are painstaking in efforts at staying as one, and harnessing their diversities for greatness.
“This process has been the hallmark of nations in history, which is why some of the greatest nations on planet earth are neither completely homogenous nor heterogeneous.
“They have moved on to higher levels by deliberately working on their diversities, and making the best out of it through resolves, regulations and the instrument of good governance.
“Growth and development are neither a function of the commonality of culture nor the disparities in traditions.
“Progress come through the determination of a people to stay together, leveraging on the vision and mission of the constitution and the leadership.”
Also speaking, the book presenter, Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike stressed the need for equity and fairness, both at federal and state levels in achieving the desired unity.
Wike who was represented by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Rivers State, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, said Nigeria needed to go back to the fundamental principles of her federal arrangement.
“Until we begin to rate the Nigerian state on the basis of equity and fairness we can never achieve our dream. As a state we are committed to the unity of this country by ensuring fairness, equity and justice,” he said.