By Banji Ayoola
The growing worrisome sectional activism, which is gradually replacing national patriotism has been blamed on Nigeria’s faulty, twisted and imbalanced federalism.
But Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who identified the problem, said that time has come to restore national consciousness
He spoke on Thursday at a public lecture as part of the activities marking his second term inauguration in Akure, the state capital where he also described insecurity as the most potent threat to national patriotism.
Akeredolu praised the guest lecturer at the occasion and President, African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for his thought provoking lecture as well as his brilliant and scholarly submissions and delivery laced with passion for a New Nigeria.
Adesina had delivered a lecture titled: “Towards A New Nigeria: From Federal Fatherism To A Commonwealth, virtually.”
The Governor said: “Truly, you have, among others, provided yet another bastion for national fortification, cohesion just as you have laid a fresher path to unity in our land. Your treatise is nothing but the document of Hope for a better tomorrow.
“But we are more than convinced, hopeful, full of confidence, and enthused beyond doubts that our today desires the contents of your lecture for a better tomorrow because our yesterday ignored it.”
Expressing worries that Nigerians are more inclined to ethnic nationalism, rather than the nation, he regretted that most Nigerians are losing faith in “Unity in Diversity”.
Besides, he noted that National consciousness is being attacked on a daily basis, describing the development as a great national pain.
His words: “We have resorted to clannish satisfaction in place of nation building. We are gradually and unconsciously replacing national patriotism with sectional activism. No one, I repeat, no one should be blamed. Our very faulty and twisted federalism is responsible.
“Regrettably, even those with palpable national passion and patriotism are today, gradually tilting to the unintended ethnic nationality cabin. Most Nigerians are losing faith in our “Unity in Diversity” sloganeering, but there is an opportunity to restore national consciousness through TRUE FEDERALISM. It hurts none, it pays all.
“Today, the most potent threat to national belief is insecurity. And because we have allowed a sustained, non-beneficial stagnation for too long in our approach, the consequences are increasingly becoming more daring.
“THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW, NOT TOMORROW. As leaders, the choices we make create the path to our desires. We cannot pretend that all is well when indeed, more things are going wrong.”
Akeredolu, who is also the Chairman of South West Governors Forum stressed that he and his colleagues are determined to fight criminality in the region with all legal means.
Also, he expressed his firm belief in the Nigerian Project and a more United Nigeria with every ingredient of freedom, rule of law, patriotism, love, mutual respect and harmony.
