VP Osinbajo admonishes Nigerians to embrace unity, shun divisive rhetorics

Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, has called on Nigerians at home and in diaspora to shun divisive rhetorics and work for the unity of the country.

Prof Osinbajo made the remarks on Saturday, while delivering the 8th Convocation Lecture of the Osun State University, Osogbo.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Six Decades of Chequered Nationhood: Nigeria Still Holds The Key To Africa’s Development’, Osinbajo said that though Nigeria was facing challenges, the nation must remain steadfast and follow the path that made other nations great.

He said rather than amplify the nation’s differences in terms of ethnicity, religion and political leaning, greater emphasis should be placed on what it can achieve as a people, united in diversity.

“It is not not true that our diversity is an impediment to our sustainability as a nation. Rather, our strength is in our size. Great nations are those that stay together despite their challenges.

“Going our separate ways will not solve our problems, but staying together will be of great benefit to us.

“Nigeria still holds the key to Africa’s development and remains a regional champion. Our manifest destiny is to lead Africa and the world, and we can only do that if we remain united”, Osinbajo said.

Infrastructure and SIPs

The Vice President said the Federal Government had invested so much in infrastructure that the next few years should see Nigeria rubbing shoulders with the high and mighty in the world.

He also noted that agriculture, education, power, technology, innovation and social safety net programmes were receiving adequate attention from government.

According to him, over 500 Nigerians were currently engaged under the N-Power programme, while the tradermoni scheme aimed at empowering petty traders was still ongoing.

Anti-corruption war

Osinbajo also said that the Buhari led-administration would not change its anti-corruption posture but would continue to fight the monumental war against corruption to move Nigeria forward.

The Vice President who noted that corruption was also fighting back, insisted the federal government would not give up the fight.

In his remarks, Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola implored the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the university and the nation, urging them to use their acquired knowledge to transform Nigeria.

Prof. Labode Popoola, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, said 49 students made first class, 670 made second class upper, 892 students made second class lower, 194 had third class while nine finished with pass degree.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Mr Jim Ovie, Mr Wale Babalakin and Mrs Nike Okundaye were conferred with honorary doctorate degrees of the university.

Omolayo.A