Let’s Make Our Diversity A Glorious One – Commissioner …Charges ‘I Am Nigeria’ Group To Remain Committed … We Are Divided On Multiple Ground, Says, Group

Let’s Make Our Diversity A Glorious One – Commissioner

…Charges ‘I Am Nigeria’ Group To Remain Committed

… We Are Divided On Multiple Ground, Says, Group

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria

The Kaduna State Commissioner, Planning & Budget Commission, Thomas Gyang  has called on the need for Nigerians to use their diversity as a united rather than divisive force.

This he said will help strengthen our unity as a nation for there is beauty in togetherness.

This call was made when a group under the name auspices of  ‘I AM NIgeria’ paid him a Courtesy visit at his office.

The Commissioner who spoke through his Personal Assistant, Mr. Martins Sidi attributed the issue of non inclusiveness as a problem in our society.

He charged the group not to relent in their efforts to charting a course that will unite the people.

“NIgeria can be difficult to achieve but when we are together, work together, it will be fantastic because Nigeria is very diverse.

“Amongst those things that bring us together as a nation despite our diversities is the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme. The Commissioner stated.

The NYSC Programme he said offérs opportunity for peaceful coexistence to strive. Adding that the programme be encouraged.

In his words of advice, he encouraged the group to be focused and never be deterred in the pursuit of their goal.

“Set a goal and never be discouraged because the road can be tough. Give your best.  Let there be  sense of belonging.”

Speaking earlier, Coordinator, ‘l Am NIgeria,’  Julius Denham and his team, while intimating the Commissioner on their  achievements  vis -a – vis challenges  promised to take the issue of unity seriously.

According to the group, imbibing the spirit of oneness and patriotism is their goal. Change begins from the individual. By changing one’s self, it will impact on others which eventually will drive in the unifying force.

 “Change starts from individual. The little change you are bringing as an individual can bring change to Nigeria.

“There is a lot of divisions in the country but if we begin to value ourselves, seeing the importance in us, that l am important, and the little that l am doing can grow, then patriotism will be embeded in our lives.

“We have had a lot of problems, fight going on here and there, this is because you as an individual have not yet recognized the other person as a brother, nor do you see that person as a sister.

“We need patriotism, loyalty, we need to value ourselves, that is the only way to patriotism can be embeded in our heart.

Mr. Denham has identified some divisive tendencies to include such practices  whereby importance is placed on one’s identity such as state of origin, Local government, religion in seeking for opportunity in a country belonging to all as a setback.

Such practices he lamented can never foster unity.

What should matter is, that the person is a Nigerian. He said.

“There are vices that we have seen that play divisive role in this nation. Such things like if you’ve ever filled a formal form, in that form you are asked your nationality, but l am already a Nigerian why do l have to  answer it and this form is for the Nigerian people. Also asked is my state of origin, you don’t need my state of origin. If what l am presenting to you is worth it, just give me the job and let me go.

“The issue is, if someone indicates his state of origin as Adamawa on a form l am supposed to mark and l happen to be from Adamawa state, already, the person has 50 percent mark. So also if we are from the same LGA.  If l see Gombi on the form and l am from Gombi, you are 80 percent successful.

“Same thing happens if l find out from what you fill in the form under religion Christian or Muslim, such could influence  the person’s decision.  You see, we are divided on multiple bases. All these vices are all part of the reasons why Nigeria is divided.

“I am very excited that we are doing what we are doing.

We must recognize the fact that changing the mind of the people is a process. We have to take one step at a time to get to where we are going and NIgeria becoming what it aught to be

We are doing our best.

On their achievements the group has in its own small way, touched the lives of the people.