ADVERTISEMENT

Acting President backs discourse on terms of national existence

Osinbajo made this known while addressing a colloquium in Abuja organised by the Yar’Adua Foundation,

Nigeria's Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo

Osinbajo made this known while addressing a colloquium in Abuja tagged: “Biafra: 50 years after’’ organised by the Yar’Adua Foundation, the Ford foundation and the Open Society Initiative West Africa.

He said “Let me make it clear that I fully believe that Nigerians should exercise to the fullest extent the right to discuss or debate the terms of our existence.

“Debate and disagreement are fundamental aspects of democracy.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We recognize and acknowledge that necessity and today’s event is along those lines – an opportunity not merely to commemorate the past, but also to dissect and debate it.

“Let’s ask ourselves tough questions about the path that has led us here, and how we might transform yesterday’s actions into tomorrow’s wisdom.

“Indeed our argument is not and will never be that we should ‘forget the past’, or ‘let bygones be bygones’ as some have suggested.”

Osinbajo recalled the writing of late Chinua Achebe who “repeatedly reminded us of the Igbo saying that a man who cannot tell where the rain began to beat him cannot know where he dried his body’’.

He, therefore, noted that “if we lose the past, we will inevitably lose the opportunity to make the best of the present and the future.’’

ADVERTISEMENT

Osinbajo warned that Nigerians should be careful that they did not focus exclusively on the narratives of division at the expense of the uplifting and inspiring ones.

He noted that “clearly our strength is in our diversity, that we are greater together than apart.

“Our frustrations with some who speak different dialects or belong to different religion must not drive us to forget that many share the same challenges.

“The individual affections and friendships we forge, some even deeper than family ties, must remind us that unity is possible, that brotherhood across tribes and faiths is possible.’’

The Acting President criticized the use of social media to fan the embers of division.

ADVERTISEMENT

“And for every young Nigerian who sees the Internet as an avenue for spewing ethnic hatred, there is another young Nigerian who is falling in love or doing business across ethnic and cultural lines.

“They are the stories that remind us that the journey to nationhood is not an event but a process, filled with some bitter and some sweet experiences.

“The most remarkable attribute of that process is that a succeeding generation does not need to bear the prejudices and failures of the past,’’ he added.

Osinbajo said that every new generation could take a different and more ennobling route than its predecessors.

He said the greatest responsibility today was on the leadership of the country, not only political leadership.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The promise of our constitution which we have sworn to uphold is that we would ensure a secure, and safe environment for our people to live and work in peace.

“That we will provide just and fair institutions of justice," headded.

Osinbajo said the citizens should not permit the leaders the easy but dangerous rhetoric of blaming the social and economic conditions on the coming together of the people in unity.

“It is their duty to give us a vision, a pathway to make our unity in diversity even more perfect,’’ he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

He explained that many countries had suffered the same problems as Nigeria and also were multi ethnic but had placed such differences aside to make their nations great.

According to Osinbajo, every Nigerian should put their differences away and unite for a better and more prosperous nation.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

Dr Bello appointed chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by Tinubu

Dr Bello appointed chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) by Tinubu

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Don't curse, condemn Nigeria in your sermons - Tinubu tells clerics

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Lagos postpones eagerly anticipated Easter boat regatta indefinitely

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Third Mainland Bridge reopens in 1 week, formal ceremony later - Minister

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Sanwo-Olu opens 'Sunday market' on Good Friday for Easter shopping

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Wike thanks Tinubu for the opportunity to serve

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Barrister Bida pens special birthday prayer for President Tinubu, Nigerians

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Tinubu’s aide distributes food items to 1,750 persons in FCT, Kwara

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Court grants senator accused of forging NYSC certificate ₦50m bail

Pulse Sports

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

Nigeria vs Mali: Has Finidi George done enough to land Super Eagles job permanently?

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

I want to emulate Keshi and win the AFCON - Finidi George shares ambitious Super Eagles dream

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

Michelle Alozie: I had to do it because of African referees

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

AC Milan star reveals he was named after Super Eagles legend Tijani Babangida

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Give him the job! Super Eagles fans beg NFF to make Finidi George permanent coach after Nigeria's win over Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

Super Eagles 2-1 Black Stars: Nigerians praise Iwobi, Lookman, Finidi George after friendly victory against Ghana

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT