Nigeria's unity requires equity, justice, and fairness, says Osinbajo
- Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has canvassed for more work from stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria's unity is intact
- VP Osinbajo says keeping the country together includes the hard work of ensuring justice, equity, and fairness for all segments of society
- The comments were made as he delivered a lecture at the Sokoto State University
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Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has declared that Nigeria's unity requires equity, justice, and fairness.
Professor Osinbajo made the comment on Friday, March 12 while delivering a convocation lecture at the Sokoto State University.
A statement sent to Legit.ng by Laolu Akande, spokesman of the vice president noted that the lecture was titled Nigeria: Some Defining Issues for the Future.
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The statement quoted the vice president as saying:
“We must not overlook any fears or allegations of marginalization or discrimination on account of religion or ethnicity.
"Political, especially ethnic leaders and religious leaders must do the difficult work of educating their publics about the need to live together. It is the elites, leaders that will do the onerous job of ensuring unity in our communities.
“Unity is not just a slogan or even merely a good idea. It has manifest expression in our communities where Nigerians from diverse backgrounds are commingling, trading, partnering, inter-marrying, and blending in various ways.
“We live in a complex web of multi-layered social, cultural, economic, and political synergies playing out in every sector of our individual and national lives.
“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.”
The vice president further stated that if properly harnessed, a country’s diversity could ensure lasting prosperity for all.
He added:
“With diversity comes a broad range of cultural, philosophical, and intellectual approaches for solving problems. Innovation can only flourish in this kind of setting.”
On the way forward, Osinbajo noted 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 unity to be found even in the face of such differences.”
Legit.ng gathered that VP Osinbajo was earlier received at the airport by Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state.
He also paid a courtesy call on the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar.
Meanwhile, renowned Nigerian economist, Bismarck Rewane, has declared that having a public office holder with intellectual depth like Osinbajo is refreshing.
Rewane, the managing director of Financial Derivatives Co. Ltd, made the comment on Monday, March 8 at a special public lecture in commemoration of Osinbajo's 64th birthday in Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
The economist who shared his various interactions with VP Osinbajo noted that the Nigerian number two citizen has, and continues to distinguish himself as a reformer in public office.
Similarly, Delta state governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, congratulated VP Osinbajo for his astute contributions toward good governance in the country.
The governor said that in spite of challenges, the vice president had continued to make quality contributions to the stability and growth of Nigeria's economy.
Aanu Adegun is a politics and current affairs content editor at Legit.ng with over 7 years of experience in both digital and traditional media. A graduate of English Studies from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo state, Aanu started his journalism career as a features writer. Aanu, who is also a creative writer has written books and children magazines. He once anchored some specialised pages of a national newspaper. Aanu is also a satirist.
Source: Legit.ng
