BENIN CITY - The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewale, says Nigeria’s political problems can never be resolved using force but through dialogue at a roundtable.
Adewale made the statement while speaking at a lecture entitled “Nigeria, an Entity in Search of Nationhood,” delivered at the Igbinedion University in Okada, near Benin City at the weekend.
The vice chancellor delivered the lecture as part of activities to commemorate the 78 birthday anniversary of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Chancellor of the university.
Adewale explained that Nigeria’s seeming intractable, political problems could only be resolved by Nigerians through a free interpretation of laws and interaction that “can produce negotiated protocol of national co-existence.
“It is in the light of the foregoing that the communities, the primary components of this nation need to meet in total freedom to decide those fundamental protocols,‘’ he said.
Adewale warned that it was high time the people decided on this suggested pattern, saying that “it will be tragic if Nigeria is allowed to remain a putative nation.”
He said it was sad that Nigerian leaders had over the years continued to bask in “the funny euphoria that wishful expectations and common imagination can tie people together, rather than genuine interaction.
“It is only integration attained as a result of convincing need to share dreams, assets and liabilities as well as engaging in mutual exchange that can engender the trustful togetherness which generates moral obligations.
“The premise of my lecture today is that Nigeria is an entity looking for nationhood.
“This implies that it has not proceeded and may not procede without a profound recognition of the cultural intricacies of the numerous peoples of Nigeria from whom currents of influences are expected to drive the direction of the search.
Adewale emphasised the need for Nigerians to consciously pass through a process of internalisation of the values of nationhood to develop inner qualities.
He noted that the people had to go through the process of self-actualisation to attain sustainable nationhood.
The don said that nationhood flourished best “when the climate for it to develop is conducive,’’ noting that national identity must replace or at least supersede ethno-cultural loyalties before sustainable nationhood could be entrenched.
He said that citizens’ attachments to ethno-cultural loyalties must be made to interlock positively with their attachment to the national interest.
The vice chancellor stressed the need for all violent national conflicts to be tamed, calling for strong institutions that could make compliance with the ethos of nationhood to appeal to all Nigerians.
Adewale said that “with the tremendous human and material resources available in the country, I have absolute faith in our capacity to evolve a true nation where national interest will override primordial ones.
“Where the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians will be guaranteed in any part of the country,” he added.
Source NigeriaObserber NewsPaper
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