Independence Jumaat Lecture Delivered by Dr. Kayode Fayemi

• Share:

OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE

Vice President Remarks, given by Doctor Kayode Fayemi at the Independence Jumaat LEcture Organised by the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs NSCIA) Commemorating 57^th Independence Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria  on Friday, September 29, 2017

Protocols

It is my pleasure to make these goodwill remarks at this event organised by the NSCIA to commemorate the 57^thIndependence Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am grateful for the invitation extended to me and for the opportunity to fellowship with our Muslim brothers and sisters on this occasion.

Without a doubt, we are marking our independence anniversary this year during a period of great strain on our unity as a country. In recent times, the Federal Government has had to take far-reaching measures to address potential threats to the well-being of our republic.

Nigeria is a vastly plural society with a population of close to 200 million creative and enterprising people consisting of over 250 distinct ethnic nationalities and spread over an extensive land mass. We have challenges, but they are nothing compared with all that God has blessed us with. I believe our challenges are surmountable on the road to building a strong and united federal republic. We have all it takes to turn our diversity to strength, and our large population to be seen as an opportunity rather than a problem.

Managing our diversity and large population and making it work to our advantage as a country is a real challenge before us. We would never have social or religious homogeneity, nor would we ever achieve blanket political consensus, but we can follow the examples of other countries with similar compositions and achieve sustainable peace and development. Even in personal relationships at the family and community levels, there is bound to be disaffection every now and again. There is absolutely no way we can avoid having differences as a country. So, the fact that we have differences is not the main problem, regardless of how issues are reported in traditional and social media.

This is why our administration will continue to enlarge the spaces for dialogue as we believe it is only by continuously engaging that we can deepen mutual trust and understanding amongst the different tribes and religions in this country. At the behest of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari, I have personally had the privilege to hold several engagements with different stakeholder groups across the country with the objective of listening to legitimate concerns and grievances.

In all my engagements, I have witnessed clearly that Nigerians are truly loving and accommodating people. It is our natural predilection to be our brothers’ keepers and to work for the common good. By failing in the past to speak openly and frankly, we collectively ceded the space to unpatriotic elements amongst us who have created platforms and vehicles for discord and strife. These one’s profit from a divided country and their agendas thrive in an atmosphere of fear and distrust. Sadly, their rhetoric has gained a lot of grounds and appears to be drowning legitimate voices and concerns. It also appears to be crowding out the giant strides of this administration.

I take this opportunity, therefore, to offer our assurances that as a listening administration, measures are in place to accommodate diverse views from all who are working assiduously towards achieving a more perfect union. We must all, therefore, take advantage of these avenues and ensure our voices are heard.

Moreso, stakeholder groups such as the NSCIA have the added responsibility of leveraging your influence to continue to condemn divisive rhetoric and actions in the country. In our religious gatherings, as voices of reason and truth, we must influence how our children and adherents are socialized to see our diversity. We have to reinforce that the ties that bind us together are more than those that seek to tear us apart.

Our goal is to achieve a just and equitable society, where every individual can pursue and achieve his/her God-given potentials regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, physical ability, health status, economic circumstances or any other social markers. We continue to assure every Nigerian that we are committed to upholding the peace and unity of our great country and that every Nigerian can continue to live freely in any part of this country without let or hindrance.

I am deeply grateful to God for making me a Nigerian and I have never been more optimistic about our prospects as a country. Indeed, together we are greater and stronger than our individual parts.

I thank you once again for the invitation and wish us all a Happy 57^thIndependence Anniversary.

Thank you and God bless.