———— AS RT.HON ENGR UCHE AGABIGE REPRESENT THE SPEAKER OF IMO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
The Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, joined his counterparts in South-East, North-Central And North-West to participate in a National Interaction and Engagement workshop on ways to reduce Identity Conflicts in South-East, North-Central and North-West, which held at the National Assembly Library, National Assembly Complex, Abuja.
The Two-day Engagement which happened between 20th and 21st May 2024 discussed the topic : STAKEHOLDERS NATIONAL ENGAGEMENT ON MAPPING ACTORS TO REDUCE IDENTITY CONFLICT IN SOUTH-East, NORTH-CENTRAL AND NORTH-WEST REGIONS, and was sponsored by NED(National Endowment for Democracy), in partnership with IRI( International Republican Institute), an American Non Governmental Organization that supports Democracy all over Africa.
The deliberations tend to identify and suggest possible solutions to problems and challenges of each of the zones (regions), particularly, as it concerns security, economic and general well being of people of zones for possible legislation and inclusion in the coming constitution amendment
While speaking at the National Engagement on Identity Conflict in the country, the Deputy Speaker of the House Of Representatives, who delivered the keynote address, Rt Honourable Benjamin Kalu, said Nigeria’s diversity is a beautiful colouration that signifies the strength and unity of a people as they match towards nationhood. The Deputy Speaker further explained that Nigeria, as a country, can only achieve National cohesion if ethnicity is set aside, thereby instilling and enabling all Nigerian citizens to have a sense, as well as a feeling, that they are members of the same country, engaged in a common enterprise and facing shared challenges. This, according to Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, will serve as the solution to insecurity in the country.
During the deliberation, it was further noted that with the plurality in Nigeria, the society is laden with diversity which is supposed to be a source of strength, but has become an albatross for the country, and that when governance in Nigeria is predicated on identity (Political, Ethnic and Religious), the nation suffers, irredeemably and tremendously, from constant conflict which costs the nations a huge loss in terms of human and material resources. The implication is that Ethnic and religious identities have found expression in politics and same ethnicity and religion are critical factors in Nigerian politics. “The causes of identity conflict (ethno-religious and political identity) in Nigeria are Intolerance, Conflict Entrepreneurs, Stereotypes and ethnic profiling, Ethnic, Religious and Political Supremacists, Resources, Colonial Legacy and State failure while the consequences of identity conflict in Nigeria are Political polarization/Majoritarian rule, Ethno-religious Strives, Mutual Suspicion, Loss of Nationalism, Marginalization, Loss of Lives and Property”.
It further noted that in the last 10 years, thousands of Nigerians have lost their lives and properties worth billions of naira have been destroyed. While there have been agitation for self rule in the South-East (which has led to unusual tension and killings of innocent persons by so-called ” Unknown Gunmen”, Organized terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality hold sway in the North-Central and North-West.
The Sponsors of the National Engagement, International Republican Institute, IRI, and the National Endowment for Democracy, NED, therefore seeks to chart a new course towards ensuring Nigeria’s unity.
The interaction gave the attendees the opportunity to understand the following :
- That Federal Characters Commission should be seen to be transparent, accountable and fair to all.
- The Judiciary should be seen to dispense justice without prejudice, politicizing ethnicity and religion be voided by enabling laws.
- Government must put strong, workable, institutional and legal framework for diversity management.
It finally agreed that value reorientation should be part of the hallmarks of governance in the country so that all and sundry will have sense of belonging and not exclusion.
The Speaker of Imo State House Of Assembly was ably represented by the Member Representing Orsu State Constituency And House Committee Chairman On Agriculture, Rt Hon Engr Uche Francis Agabige, while Clerks of the various Houses of Assembly from South-East, North-Central and North-West also attended.
Imo State born Hon Chief Henry Nwawuba is the Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Library, where the event took place
Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha
01/06/2024
