By Awayi Kuje
Beyond Boundaries Legacy Leadership Initiative (BBLLI), an NGO, has urged Nigerians to desist from fanning embers of disunity, religious extremism and sectionalisation of politics in thevinterest of peace and national developmemt.
Mr Omaga Daniel, the Founder/Executive Director of BBLLI made the call on Monday at a Project Nigeria Conference 2023, organised by BBLLI in collaboratiom with North Central Youth Alliance For Democracy (NOCYAD) in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Project Nigeria Conference 2023 has its theme: “Democracy in Nigeria: Echoes From The Past, Achievements in The Present and Hopes for The Future”.
Daniel, who is the Convener of the Project Nigeria Conference 2023, called for peaceful and united Nigeria for speedy development to be achieved in the country.
He said that the conference was aimed at building the capacity of participants, exchange ideas and share their experiences of social, religious, ethnic and political engagements.
“How to promote national unity, towards enhancing the peace and security of our nation as well as discussions on common challenges to youth inclusion in governance and to come up with a strategic action plan for advocacy.
“And strengthening youth network for active engagement for a more united, peaceful, politically stable, socially secured and economically viable Nigeria,” he said.
He said that the conference will also be a historical opportunity for participants to have first-hand experiences of the dynamic democratic processes in Nigeria, since independence on Oct. 1, 1960.
“We must desist from further fanning the embers of disunity, religious extremism and sectionalisation of our politics.
” What our nation needs as we look forward to the New Nigeria, is new founding fathers and mothers, like you, you and you, seated here today, that will promote national integration, sustainable peace and progress,” he stressed.
The BBLLI founder also urged Nigerians to depart from divisive politics.
“As we celebrate yet another Democracy Day today, it is important we depart from the divisive politics that birthed Nigeria and we still practice today.
“Our obsession with propagating and replicating the mindsets over 60 years, will continue to hinder our progress as one united nation, built on the tripod of justice, equity and mutual respect.
“There’s need for us to leave behind the Nigeria that was built on mutual suspicion, where the Fulani man from Katsina sees the Igbo man from Anambra as a thief; the Idoma man from Benue sees the Fulani man as a killer herdsman; the Kanuri man from Borno sees the Ijaw man from Bayelsa as a kidnapper.
“The Nupe man from Niger sees the lady from Edo as a prostitute; the Yoruba from Osun sees the Igbo man from Imo as a drug dealer; the Igala man from Kogi sees the Yoruba man from Ekiti as ‘Yahoo boy’, and the Birom man from Plateau sees the Hausa man from Zamfara as a bandit,” he added.
Daniel therefore urged youths and other Nigerians to be patriotic in their activities at all times.
“The questions for every young person here today are: in the advancement of our dream country, have we been patriotic and resourceful enough?
“Can Nigerians truly depend on our generation as the hope of a better country? Are we ready to lead, even though we constitute about 60 per cent of Nigeria’s voting population?,” he asked rhetorically.
Daniel appreciated Prof. Suleiman Mohammed, the Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi; Dr Ubon Udoh, the Managing Director/CEO, Abdul Samad Rabiu Initiative (ASR) Africa; and Dr Francis Agbo, outgoing member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, among others, for their support to the success of the project.
In his keynote address, Prof. Suleiman Bala Mohammed, the Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, urged Nigerians to join hands in order to sustain democracy in the country.
“Since 1999 to date, there is massive progress, development as well as improvement in the country despite the nation’s challenges,” he said.
The vice chancellor commended the organiser of the event for celebrating democracy and contributng positively in building the nation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event had in attendance politicians, stakeholders and students, among others.
It featured paper presentation, panel discussions and merit awards. (NAN)