Jonathan Urges Nigerian Youths To Take Charge of Their Future
September 07, 2022
Former President Goodluck Jonathan urged Nigerians to study Rwanda to see how to create a country free of racial prejudice.
This was stated in his keynote speech and made available to newsmen at Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s 80th birthday celebration at Owerri in Imo State, Jonathan suggested that Nigerians should look into Rwanda’s story for inspiration in overcoming their country’s problems.
The former president claimed that ethnic politics had divided Nigerians, harming the country’s unity.
He exhorted Nigerians to use the general elections in 2023 to make things right.
He said, “As a nation, we have challenges, but we should not be slaves to our challenges. Let us get over the obstacles and move forward.
“We have to adapt. We must not conform to perceived aberrant behaviour considered to be politically correct.”
“Let us look at the case of Rwanda, which had a gory experience of genocide; they reconfigured their nation so that in today’s Rwanda, tribe is no longer an issue. They all see themselves as one people.
“The incoming Nigerian leaders must take deliberate steps to whittle down the ethnic cleavages pulling us apart and pulling the nation backwards. So, my appeal to all Nigerians is to de-emphasise our differences and focus on the issues that bind us.
“Luckily, we are in an election cycle; my charge to the youths is to take charge of their future; by electing those who believe in our unity and will promote peace and progress, not those who will erect ethnic walls and religious barriers among our people.”
