Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has identified the lack of unity as the most significant issue confronting Nigeria, warning that sustainable development will remain elusive until this challenge is addressed.
Speaking at the Wellmann Group Colloquium on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, Jonathan highlighted the nation’ s struggles with diversity, emphasizing the need for unity as a prerequisite for progress.
Reflecting on Nigeria’ s history since its amalgamation over a century ago, Jonathan lamented that the country has failed to harness the potential of its diversity.
” There must be a reason why our founding leaders believed bringing the rainforest and savannah regions together would create a better country, ” he stated. ” Unfortunately, from the amalgamation to date, we have not developed ourselves to the point where we see each other as one. ”
The former president criticized lawmakers in the National Assembly for prioritizing ethnic allegiances over national interests, noting that such divisions undermine governance and progress. He urged Nigerian leaders to reflect on the benefits of unity, which is essential to overcoming the nation’ s complex challenges.
Jonathan’ s remarks come at a time when Nigeria faces a range of issues, including economic instability, insecurity, and political polarization.
Leaders across various sectors have echoed similar sentiments, advocating for unity as a path to stability and growth. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, in his Independence Day message, called for collective action to address these challenges, while Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda emphasized the importance of embracing patriotism and shared aspirations.
Jonathan’ s call for unity aligns with his longstanding advocacy for peaceful coexistence and development. Since leaving office, he has championed democratic principles and national reconciliation, often urging political and ethnic groups to collaborate for the common good.
The Wellmann Group Colloquium, which featured Jonathan as its keynote speaker, served as a platform for dialogue on national and regional challenges. The event drew attention to the critical role of leadership in fostering unity, especially in a country as diverse as Nigeria.
As the nation continues its journey toward sustainable development, Jonathan’ s message serves as a poignant reminder of the work required to bridge divides and build a unified Nigeria capable of fulfilling its immense potential.
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