Nigerians more divided in Nigeria’s history – Gambari

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Ambassador of Nigeria to the United Nations, Ibrahim Gambari, has expressed concern over the growing divides amongst Nigerians.

Gambari who expressed the concern at the Annual lecture of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) held recently in Abuja, argued that the prevailing situation is a defining moment for national unity, national integration and national development.

While noting that the country is overwhelmed with tension ahead of the 2019 general election, the former Nigerian envoy warned against complacency so as not to give room for doomsday scenario painted to come to fruition.

 Gambari also called on stakeholders including civil society organisations, individuals and the international community that ensured that the 2015 elections were peaceful and credible to re-mobilise with high level of intensity to bring about 2019 general election that would be a game changer in terms of peaceful and credible outcome.

He equally called on Nigerians to ensure that the 2019 general election is a game changer by demanding for leadership that is inclusive and knowledgeable about socio-economic development issues through the choice of candidate they vote for.

“We must demand leaders who respect and uphold the constitution and obey the rule of law. The political parties must throw up candidates who have a clear vision for the future of our country and who are pro-active in addressing the obstacles to the realisation of that vision. In this regard, the political parties need to ensure that their flag bearers must reflect competence, capacity and character,” Gambari said.

On the increased disparity between the elected and the electorate, Gambari urged political parties to be conscious and make concerted efforts toward promoting national unity and equitable socio-economic development.

“Nigeria is said to have many poor people than any nation of the world, Nigeria has no business being a home to the poorest people in the world, efforts should be made not just to alleviate poverty but to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty,” Gambari further said.

In his remarks, Moddibo Kawu, NBC Director General said topic for this year’s annual lecture: “Broadcasting and Nigeria’s ethno-cultural and religion divide: Bridging The Gap” was a topic borne out of the mandate of the NBC to be the bridge building industry of broadcasting in the country.

He said this year’s topic speaks to an issue of enduring the contemporary resonance in the country.

“While we have also been very true to the letter and spirit of the Nigeria broadcasting code and because broadcasting is a platform which reflects the social space, and because it can often be a conveyor of the deep emotions associated with ethno-cultural and religious divides.”

 OYIN AMINU, Abuja