18th February, 2012
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Friday urged all Nigerians to see the nation’s diversity as a source of strength and blessing while moving on with true love and respect for one another.
$Governor Fashola who spoke at the Peacock Hall of the Island Club, Lagos where the Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Isa Yuguda delivered a business luncheon lecture titled: “Nigerian Unity, Marching Forward to African Greatness” said if God wanted human beings to speak the same language he would have designed it so even as different ethnic groups.
He added that Nigerians are different in so many ways, especially in the choices that they express about religion and stated that in those differences lies the nation’s true strength.
“If we respect those differences, if we recognise that people have the right to make different choices, we will understand the rich basket of choices with which Nigeria is blessed.”
The Governor expressed optimism that Nigeria will evolve from her present challenges to attain true greatness and added that the fact that the Bauchi State Governor is from the North and his wife is from the South- West speaks to the integration by marriage and culture that Nigeria has built.
He said it will take more than those who seek to divide Nigeria along ethnic or religious lines to really succeed, stressing that the invitation of Governor Isa Yuguda by the Island Club is a clear indicator that Nigeria’s unity cannot be compromised.
Governor Fashola also thanked the members of the Island Club for providing a pre-eminent platform which has made a significant contribution to the national discourse in terms of reformation and shaping of the Nigerian State to his Bauchi State counterpart.
Earlier, the President of Island Club, Chief Hakeem Gbolahan Awe said the Business Luncheon Lecture has become a pre- eminent forum where eminent and notable Nigerians have always had opportunity to contribute and make statements on national issues.
He added that the Club does not expect anything less than a standard piece from the Bauchi State Governor who was an accomplished banker before moving into public service as an elected official.
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