Nigeria’s unity calls for equity, Justice, fairness – Osinbajo

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, disclosed that the work that must be done in constant quest for Nigeria’s unity calls for the “hard work of ensuring justice, equity and fairness for all segments of society”.

The Vice President declared this, on Friday, while delivering the Convocation Lecture of the Sokoto State University.

Prof. Osinbajo with Governor Tambuwal and Sultan Abubakar at the lecture

Osinbajo, who was received at the airport by Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State also paid a courtesy visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

The Sultan received him stating that he knew the VP “is here because he loves what he is doing for the development of the country.”

Highlighting the roles that leaders must play to incite unity, the Vice President in his speech titled Nigeria: Some Defining Issues for the Future stated that “we must not overlook any fears or allegations of marginalization or discrimination on account of religion or ethnicity.

In accordance with Prof. Osinbajo, “unity is not just a slogan or even merely a good idea. It has a manifest expression in our communities where Nigerians from diverse backgrounds are commingling, trading, partnering, inter-marrying and blending in various ways.

“This is why we must understand that even though managing diversity can be politically and administratively onerous, diversity itself is an economic strength and harnessing it properly is hugely rewarding.”

Osinbajo added that if appropriately harnessed, the diversity of a country could guarantee lasting fortune for all.

“It is a matter of interest that the most prosperous economies in the world are typically diverse places. Because the true wealth of nations in the 21st century is human capital, societies that set out to attract and retain the most diverse pool of skilled human resources are ordained to prevail in the race for prosperity.”

Talking in contrast to the call for the disintegration of Nigeria, the Vice President requested the citizens to reflect the significance of national unity, emphasising that the nation “is more than a sum of its many parts and its diversity – ethnic diversity, cultural diversity, religious diversity – is a value-add for our nation. Difference should not mean division”.

In addition, the Vice President stated that “it is essential for us to establish a culture of tolerance, open-mindedness and acceptance of people of all cultures and creeds. There is a unity to be found even in the face of such differences.”

“There is a Nigerianness that binds us all, there is a shared commitment no matter how suppressed, to build a better Nigeria for ourselves and future generations. It is who we are; it is in our very beings, that love of country, that aspiration to do better.”