By John Alechenu

23 June 2021

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has said the rest of Nigeria can learn something about the management of ethnic and religious diversity from the South West.

He attributed Nigeria’s current problems to its failure to properly manage its diversity in a way that gives minorities a sense of belonging.

The former president said this in an address at the 13th Joe-Kyari Gadzama Public Lecture with the theme: ‘Redefining Democracy: Yearnings of the Minority in a Democratic Setting,’ which was held virtually.

Jonathan said, “That is the only part of Nigeria where we feel has been able to manage religion and development very well.

“So, we must look at our own unique circumstances and come up with the right form of government.”

Jonathan explained that he honoured the invitation to the event out of his respect for the host, Mr. Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), and the rule of law.

The former president noted that in the case of Nigeria, the complications associated with the marginalisation of minority groups and tribes were identified decades ago and that efforts were made across generations to solve the problems.

He described the setting up of the Willinks Commission by the colonial government as one of such efforts.

Jonathan expressed sadness that although the Federal Character Commission was established as part of efforts to address the issue of marginalisation, it was yet to fully achieve its set objective.

He said, “The Federal Character Commission over many decades may have been doing its best to give everyone fair representation and a fair sense of belonging, but there are still many who feel that this agency of government has not fully addressed the challenges of accommodating minorities.”

sweetshisha:
Ipobians and Fulanis migrate the most and still the worst extremist and segregate alot

sweetshisha:
Ipobians and Fulanis migrate the most and still the worst extremist and segregate alot

Penguin2:


Keep IPOB off ur mouth for once, you will not die!

Meanwhile Southwest is managing its diversity well because those that claim to be Muslims are just there. Not like the stupid fundamentalists you have up north.

Well except for that muMURIC irredentist that recently took up the robe of religious iberiberism.

BosseJ:
GEJ is spot on. He's not saying Yorubas are perfect but just that they have succeeded the best out of other regions to manage their diversity to foster peace, harmony, and development. Other sections of the country can study and learn their success formula.

thebosstrevor1:


Diversity does not bring any peace.

It brings competition for scared resources, ethnic tension, high crime rate, cultural shock and enmity.

If you know you know.

Yeah, there are advantages but the disadvantages is more than the advantage.

thebosstrevor1:


Diversity does not bring any peace.

It brings competition for scared resources, ethnic tension, high crime rate, cultural shock and enmity.

If you know you know.

Yeah, there are advantages but the disadvantages is more than the advantage.

Countries where diversity is preached have lot of racial tension and discrimination.

Damisic:
it bring peace oo, if every one is sane enough to knw that there is a huge diff btwn peace and conflict,

BosseJ:


So what exactly is your point? That SWesterners should start fighting and kling each other instead of managing their diversity as they have been doing up to date? As we speak, 5 of the 6 SW governors are Christians, even in states that have slightly more Muslims than Christians. That shows that they defy your assertion about diversity. There are homogeneous states in Nigeria where the single dominant religions still fight and discriminate against one another.

thebosstrevor1:
If they praise you for your ethnic diversity know that one day, they are coming to take what is yours.

Diversity is a killer and a stealer. What diversity does is to take the opportunity meant for natives and give it to non indigenes, then you and non natives start fighting for resources and opportunities in your own land leading ethnic tensions.

Those that praise the south west for diversity will never allow it in their land, go to their universities and ministries, only natives works there.

They preach diversity when they want to take what is meant for you and then preach you are not from here when you go to their own land to seek opportunity.

thebosstrevor1:


Diversity does not bring any peace.

It brings competition for scared resources, ethnic tension, high crime rate, cultural shock and enmity.

If you know you know.

Yeah, there are advantages but the disadvantages is more than the advantage.

Countries where diversity is preached have lot of racial tension and discrimination.

thebosstrevor1:
If they praise you for your ethnic diversity know that one day, they are coming to take what is yours.

Diversity is a killer and a stealer. What diversity does is to take the opportunity meant for natives and give it to non indigenes, then you and non natives start fighting for resources and opportunities in your own land leading to ethnic tensions.

Those that praise the south west for diversity will never allow it in their land, go to their universities and ministries, only natives works there.

They preach diversity when they want to take what is meant for you and then preach you are not from here when you go to their own land to seek opportunity.

Goke7:


Very apt, na we for SW think say we get sense where we are actually being robbed

OdumegwuOjukwu:



Are you talking about Ahmadu Bello's north?

Mangekyo:
Well said Jonathan-Sama. Later, the betrayers will say you hate them. Well they're receiving their punishments for voting against you in 15

adekolaelect:
the way your speak confirmed how bigot your are

thebosstrevor1:


Diversity does not bring any peace.

It brings competition for scared resources, ethnic tension, high crime rate, cultural shock and enmity.

If you know you know.

Yeah, there are advantages but the disadvantages is more than the advantage.

Countries where diversity is preached have lot of racial tension and discrimination.

Tranquillity360:
I don't know why yoruba muslims hate we yoruba christians.

BosseJ:


So what exactly is your point? That SWesterners should start fighting and killing each other instead of managing their diversity as they have been doing up to date? As we speak, 5 of the 6 SW governors are Christians, even in states that have slightly more Muslims than Christians. That shows that they defy your assertion about diversity. There are homogeneous states in Nigeria where the single dominant religions still fight and discriminate against one another.

sophxx:
You be aboki for real. Are Yoruba diverse or not? What's that got to do with Preservation? You no do GNS101 for skul ni?