President Muhammadu Buhari says any call for the disintegration of Nigeria is an invitation to economic suicide for any of its ethnic nationalities.
The president stated this on Saturday in Wukari, Taraba State, at the 2nd Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University, Wukari, FUW, where he was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
According to President Buhari, promoting unity in diversity will foster synergy of Nigeria’s communities in ways that enhance national performance.
The President said, “One of the most profound lessons of history is that diversity is essential for growth.
“It follows therefore that promoting unity in diversity holds the very real promise of fostering a creative synergy of our constituent communities in ways that dramatically amplify our national performance.
“Furthermore, larger nations also mean potentially larger markets and larger fields for production.
“Given these dynamics, any call for disintegration is an invitation to economic suicide.
“By reason of her sheer size and population, Nigeria is a huge market and carries the potential to serve as a continental hub for a broad range of value-added economic activities.”
The president said Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, could stimulate development on a regional and continental scale, that the country’s aspiration for inclusive prosperity would only be attained within the framework of unity in diversity.
“Thus, staying together as a people is not just a good idea; it is an economic imperative with real consequences for the lives of millions of Nigerians,” he stated.
Building Bridges of Unity
Calling on the graduating students of the FUW to continue “building bridges of brotherhood and unity,” President Buhari urged them not give heed to those who might tempt them into believing that they are locked in the struggle for resources.
“You may have heard, for instance, that because you are Tiv, then the Jukun and the Idoma are your mortal adversaries.
“Or that if you are Jukun, then the Chamba or the Fulani are your implacable enemies.
“Let it be your generation that will bury those prejudices, heal those wounds and build a great society of brothers and sisters of all tribes and tongues.
“You belong to a generation of Nigerians ordained by momentous historical circumstances to play on a grander stage.
“You belong to the most globalized generation ever to walk this earth and your field of competition is not local but global. You have come of age in the era of a worldwide marketplace of opportunity.
“Refuse to be consumed by the petty prejudices and biases that predispose you to mutual antagonism with your fellow citizens. You must refuse to be prisoners of history and commit to encountering the world with an open mind,” he explained.
Tue President said one of the goals for establishing federal universities across Nigeria was to bring Nigerians together in the same learning and social environment and strengthen the affinity between them.
He asked them to close ranks as a people because indeed “a house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Advising the graduating students and other youths to take a cue from young Nigerians who are pioneering new patterns of enterprise and creativity, the president urged them to see various challenges in the environment as opportunities for the creation of solutions.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Jude Rabo said that the university was committed to providing youths with education, skills and competences they need and to the conduct of research.
The VC said, “Our attention is therefore always focused on those priorities that will ensure these objectives are met.
“Key to these is the provision of first class infrastructure, teaching and learning resources, a conducive environment that is served with adequate municipal facilities and security.”
A total of 3, 897 persons were conferred with various bachelor’s degree of the university.
Three distinguished Nigerians also received honorary doctorate degrees at the convocation ceremony.
They were industrialist, Innocent Chukwuma; former Governor of Bauchi State, Adamu Muazu; and renowned lawyer, Damian Dodo.
Speaking on behalf of the recipients of the honorary degrees, former Governor Muazu appealed to Nigerians to ensure that the 2023 general election would be peaceful and to participate in the leadership recruitment process of the country.
“We must partake in the recruitment process if we must get very responsive and accountable leaders, which we direly need today,” Muazu stated.
On arrival at the university, Professor Osinbajo inaugurated the Faculty of Law Building and the Academic Staff Offices.
Confidence Okwuchi
