Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN has said that the solution to Nigeria’s multifarious challenges lies in the unity of all the ethnic nationalities in the country.

He called on all the ethnic groups to always encourage and promote a smooth transition from ethnic nationalism which promotes indignity, to a state where the interest of the people would be the ultimate focus.

Akeredolu, who made the call on Tuesday during the 2018 Democracy Day celebration in Akure, the state capital, expressed the conviction that the citizens hope for national development could only be realized when unity is promoted by the ethnic groups.

The lecture for this years Democracy Day, entitled: “Nigeria unity: The challenges, prospects and the way forward,” was delivered by a former member of the House of Representatives and past National President, Association of Nigeria Authors, Dr. Wale Okediran.

The Governor recalled that the choice to promote the nations unity was made a long time ago by the nationalists.
Akeredolu, who praised what he described as the uncommon sacrifice of the departed and the living for their contributions to the enthronement of democracy in the country, asked Nigerians not to ignore the lessons which past political experiences had taught.

He, however, said that the task of nation-building might appear arduous; but expressed the hope that the challenges were surmountable.

While allaying the fear over the security challenges confronting the country, Akeredolu said the unpleasant situation was being tackled headlong by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration.

According to him, the painful but necessary decision taken by the Buhari-led Government is gradually restoring confidence in the citizens.

He said: “Despondency must yield to hope. Our survival as a people depends, to a large extent, on our collaborative efforts.
“This choice was made a long time ago by the nationalists who preceded us. They worked at it and faltered. We have risen from the fall to continue the journey to a truly representative government after the military interregnum. We must be prepared to see it through.”

The Governor, therefore, said his administration had taken a cue from the purposeful leadership of the Federal Government.
He said: “We are convinced that the only realistic measure for the attainment of the status of a self-reliant society is by production of goods and services.

“This Administration believes that any aspiration towards development must keep the people in focus. We have been able, in spite of paucity of funds, to bridge the infrastructural gap, considerably.

“We encourage our people to embrace agriculture. We advocate a functional educational system which will arrest the embarrassing situation which ensures that our young ones are not engaged productively. We are engaging the youth as partners in the development project.”

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the event, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, commended Akeredolu for putting together the event, and described the Governor as one man who believes in the unity of the country.

While applauding the theme of the lecture, which he said was most appropriate for the season, Mamora asked Nigerians to work together and ensure the building of a nation in which everyone would see one another as one big family.