Gbenro Adesina
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has reiterated the need for national unity in order to move Nigeria forward.
He said this on Friday December 3, 2021 at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, while delivering the 2021 National Public Service Lecture of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association Worldwide.
Hon Gbajabiamila, who was represented by Hon. Adeniyi Kazeem Adeyemi, stated: “National unity is an essential requirement for peace, progress, and prosperity in a heterogeneous society such as ours. However, we must understand that unity by itself is not the objective. This understanding is the missing component in our conversations about the unity of our country. Too often, when we speak about Nigerian unity, we talk about unity as if that by itself is the objective, without clarifying the goals of the unity we seek. Unity is merely the means to an end. Unity is required for effective national collaboration. This is, in turn, the essential condition for Nigeria to make the hard decisions necessary for successful nation-building”.
The Speaker noted that the country needs a Rebuilding and Restructuring Plan developed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the State Governments. He said: “We need a program that is honest in its assessment of our present realities and draws upon our unique strengths to deliver a proposal for the future that is both realistic and immediately implementable. We need a plan that addresses economics and national security, infrastructure development and healthcare, job creation and social welfare. We also need a program of broad structural change that addresses the foundational issues of identity and history that have too long troubled us and inhibited our ability to rise to our highest potential”.
Gbajabiamila calls for all to draw from the lessons of history for the country and the world to surmount challenges and survive the current crises towards a new and better world. “In the coming months and years, all Nigerians, regardless of religion or creed, partisan affiliation or political history, tribe or ethnicity, will have to decide if we are willing to take the lessons of history and build for ourselves a nation capable of meeting our highest expectations. Citizens and leaders alike have to make hard choices about the kind of country we want to live in and leave for the next generation. Let this present crisis be for us a moment of discovery when with love and honesty, we inspire each other and our nation to greatness beyond the limits of what we have previously allowed ourselves to imagine. So that in our lifetimes, we can make real the promise of our national anthem; to attain great lofty heights and build a nation where peace and justice reign”, he said.
The programme was spiced with traditional dance performances and the presentation of scholarship awards to some deserving students of the institution.
In attendance were the Institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof Ezekiel Ayoola, Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, former Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning in Osun State, Muyiwa Ige, Members of the Alumni Association, students and Staff of the Premier University.
