Tobi Adebayo
Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi has said that there cannot be peace in Nigeria when some parts of the country are not being treated fairly.
Fayemi said this during THIS NIGERIA Inaugural Lecture and Gold Prize held on Wednesday at the Musa Yar-Adua Center in Abuja.
The theme of the event was “National Cohesion for Sustainable Growth and Progress: The Nigerian Dilemma.”
The governor, who was the Chairman of the event, described Nigeria as “a sleeping giant that is currently unhealthy” due to the spate of insecurity in all parts of the country.
“Our country is going through enormous challenges. Nigeria is a sleeping giant that can be approached from all sides. It is not in its most healthy state, regardless of political persuasion, ethnic consideration, economic opportunities available to individuals.
“In every adversity, there is always an opportunity. It is our ability to recognise the opportunities that will take us further in this nation-building journey,” he said.
The governor stated further that nation-building in every part of the world does not “happen by happenstance.”
“It is a long, torturous and hardous process. It is not a 60-year process. Some countries have been in search of perfect unity for centuries. However, the search must continue and we must see signs of progress,” he stated.
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Fayemi commended the people of Anambra for their cooperation in the November 6th governorship election that produced Professor Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as the winner.
“We all thought that the election would be chaotic due to the events that had preceded it but it turned out to be the most peaceful election in the country.
“In spite of the low turnout of voters, the process was peaceful, credible and fair. I must praise the people of Anambra for this feat,” he said.
Speaking on the launch of THIS NIGERIA newspaper, the Governor showered encomiums on the Publisher and CEO of ThisNigeria Media ltd, Eric Osagie.
He urged the media not to shy away from its reponsibilty as the “voice for the voiceless”.
“I have known Eric since his early days in journalism. He has always been a stellar performer in everything he does. We must commend him and his colleagues for convening this ‘people’s parliament’ and bringing Nigerians from all walks of life to this august assembly to reflect on the direction of our future as a nation,” Fayemi said.
Present at the event include the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, Bishop Matthew Kukah, Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, Registrar of JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, Mike Ozekhome SAN, among other dignitaries.
