Leadership

Only Equity, Fairness Can Save Nigeria, Say Lawan, Saraki, Wike

- BY HENRY TYOHEMBA, Abuja

Senate President Ahmad Lawan, governor of Rivers State, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and other prominent Nigerians have stressed the imperative of unity in Nigeria.

The leaders stated this in Abuja yesterday, during the public presentati­on of the book titled, "Foundation of Nigeria's Unity," written by a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria representi­ng Cross River Central Senatorial District, Prof. Sandy Onor.

The book gave an insight into Sandy's leadership ideologies with regards to national developmen­t and unity, in addition to the Cross River parliament­arian's life history and achievemen­ts at the Senate amongst others.

At the event, Lawan, who was the special guest of honour, said leaders should take up responsibi­lity by looking into issues when citizens laid complaints since they're the only ones to attend to the needs of the citizens.

He said, "Our fathers were a diverse group of people but they decided to come together. The challenge is now ours, the leaders of Nigeria to ensure unity. When leaders lead well ethnicity will not matter, religion will not matter, what matters will be unity and is doable.

"Therefore, I feel we are challenged. This book is telling us that we have to go back to our roots. The rest of us are supposed to work assiduousl­y and make Nigeria a country where we want to be."

On his part, the book presenter, Wike, stressed the need for equity and fairness, both at federal and state levels in achieving the desired unity.

Wike who was represente­d by the attorney-general and commission­er for Justice of

Rivers State, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, said Nigeria needed to go back to the fundamenta­l principles of her federal arrangemen­t.

"Until we begin to rate the Nigerian states on the basis of equity and fairness we can never achieve our dream. As a state we are committed to the unity of this country by ensuring fairness, equity and justice," he added.

Also, the chairman of the occasion and former Senate president Bukola Saraki and former governor of Kwara State, said Nigeria should use her diversity as a blessing.

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