Bishop Mathew Kukah, Founder of the Kukah Centre has urged Nigerians to work towards building a united nation.
The Nigerian cleric, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese in northern Nigeria told the guests at the National Integration Conference on Friday in Abuja with the theme: “Revisiting the National Question: Nigeria’s Elusive Search for National Integration”, organised by the Kukah Centre that Kukah, that there was an urgent need for nation building.
Bishop Kukah called on Nigerians to stop the blame game and unite for the good of the country.
“Building our nation is not about apportioning blames. It is about the urgency of national integration.
“National integration doesn’t necessarily mean everybody must be the same. It is for us in Nigeria to understand the intricacies of managing diversity. National cohesion is important because without it, it is impossible for us to grow.
“This country is increasingly in recession. So, the urgency of national cohesion is a call that we must make and continue to make,” he said, adding that anybody, who calls himself or herself a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, should believe in the Constitution and build Nigeria.
Earlier, the Guest Speaker, Alhaji Abass Tajudeen, who is the Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, stated that Nigeria’s pluralism and its vast diversity in ethnicity, language and religion, have remained valuable assets to the nation.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Speaker said that embracing and leveraging its pluralism would propel Nigeria towards a more unified and prosperous future where the collective strengths of its diverse population would be fully harnessed.
“Our diversity should be our strategic advantage, making us more resilient, innovative and cohesive as a nation. Our ongoing constitutional amendment process also aims to strengthen these mechanisms, promoting a more inclusive, fair and just society.
“As your representatives, we pledge to continue promoting policies that foster integration, celebrate our diverse heritage and build a stronger and more united Nigeria. I challenge us all, as a people, to reject bigotry of any kind and embrace tolerance, empathy, and unity,” he said.
He said that by so doing, a Nigeria, where every citizen is valued and empowered, would be built. Let us work towards a future united by the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood in one strong, indivisible nation,” he said
“Although Nigeria is a diverse country, the central challenge remains in balancing diverse interests in a way that promotes national unity while respecting the identities and rights of all constituent groups.
“The burden of fostering national cohesion and effectively managing diversity rest on leaders across all facets of our society. The challenge is for government, religious organisations, traditional institutions and families. Holding government accountable, promoting economic empowerment, inclusive governance and education are important tools in fostering national unity,” he added.
Tajudeen called for the review of the primary and secondary school curricular to ensure that young Nigerians understood the various cultures and religions in the Nigeria.
GIK/APA
Nigerian Catholic Bishop Kukah tasks Nigerians on national cohesion
