Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has said the rest of
Nigeria can learn something about the management of ethnic and religious
diversity from the South West.
He attributed Nigeria’s current problems to its failure to
properly manage its diversity in a way that gives minorities a sense of
belonging.
The former president said this in an address at the 13th
Joe-Kyari Gadzama Public Lecture with the theme: ‘Redefining Democracy:
Yearnings of the Minority in a Democratic Setting,’ which was held virtually.
Jonathan said, “That is the only part of Nigeria where we feel has been able to manage religion and development very well.
“So, we must look at our own unique circumstances and come up with the right form of government.”
Jonathan explained that he honoured the invitation to the
event out of his respect for the host, Mr. Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), and the
rule of law.
The former president noted that in the case of Nigeria, the
complications associated with the marginalisation of minority groups and tribes
were identified decades ago and that efforts were made across generations to
solve the problems.
He described the setting up of the Willinks Commission by
the colonial government as one of such efforts.
Jonathan expressed sadness that although the Federal
Character Commission was established as part of efforts to address the issue of
marginalisation, it was yet to fully achieve its set objective.
He said, “The Federal Character Commission over many decades
may have been doing its best to give everyone fair representation and a fair
sense of belonging, but there are still many who feel that this agency of
government has not fully addressed the challenges of accommodating minorities.“
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