Jonathan Hails South West Over Ability To Manage Religion And Ethnicity

Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has hailed the South West region of the country over its ability to manage ethnicity and religious diversity.

Naija News reports that Jonathan lauded the region while speaking 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.

The Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, however, lament that the Federal Character Commission which was established to address the issue of marginalisation in the country is yet to fully achieve its set objective.

Jonathan attributed Nigeria’s current problems to its failure to properly manage its diversity in a way that gives minorities a sense of belonging.

The statement read partly: “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.

Jonathan goes further in his address to describe the setting up of the Willinks Commission by the colonial government as one of such efforts.

Speaking about FCC 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.”

Meanwhile, some eminent Nigerians under the aegis of the Committee for the Goodness of Nigeria (CGN) are set to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on the state of the nation.

This is believed to be part of the resolutions reached after their own closed-door meeting held in Abuja, the nation’s capital, Naija News reports.