By Amos Tauna
With the ongoing agitations and clamoring for nationhood by different factions in Nigeria, Nigerians have been called upon to kindle the spirit of nationalism and patrotism for a united country.
“Our differences are not insurmountable, in our core we are all the same,” said President of Zamani Foundation, Philomena Talatu Henry, at a One-Day Workshop in Kaduna on effects of crisis/war.
She lamented that many people know that war is bad but they do not know how bad the reality is. “It is said that over 2 million people died in the Nigerian civil war. The result of war is always death and destruction,” she explained.
The Counsellor to governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State on Information and Communication, Saidu Adamu, said Nigerians should not allow their personal interest be a stumbling block to the general interest of the public. “It is time we start thinking of what will move us forward for the peace, unity and development of Nigeria, ” he added.
He lamented that war has become part of man because of greed. “We are so self centered in dealing with one another leading to war. Nigeria problem has been the issue of marginalization. Our elders always keep quiet until it is too late and we allow war to start because of our own gains.”
Mr. Saidu observed that Kaduna has had it share of religious and political crises destroying lives and property worth unimaginable amount caused by the elites, adding that it was time for the people.
!le irrespective of their differences to walk for peace and harmony for the overall development of the state.
He noted that crises include mass destruction of cities and have long lasting effects on a country’s economy, pointing out that armed conflict has direct negative consequences on infrastructure, public health provision, and social order.
Goodwill messages from different partners noted that the time for the workshop was apt, stressing that what Nigerians needed was for proper understanding of their common goal of ensuring that nothing divide them as the only weapon they could use to fight their common enemy.