Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State says the promotion of ethnic origin leads to more division and disunity among Nigerians, saying Nigerians should regard themselves as one and members of any community in which they find themselves.
Adams Oshiomholeoshio
Speaking yesterday at the swearing-in of 2,787 Batch ‘B’ Corp members posted to the State, Oshiomhole said youths should build bridges of unity in spite of the challenges facing the Nation.
Oshiomhole who said Edo State is the safest place to be throughout the federation said: “For me, this concept of ethnic origin is problematic. It seems to me therefore that when we talk of origin, it’s only to the extent that our memory can go. There is only one origin which is the origin of the human race.
“Your coming to Edo State to spend the next one year, rediscovering yourselves, promoting the spirit of solidarity and comradeship among yourselves, relocating to various parts of Edo State both rural areas and urban areas, living with our people, interacting with them, learning to appreciate various cultures and traditions and leaving your own parents behind wherever they are, you are demonstrating and making practical statements that the Nigerian Youth believe in the unity and the indivisibility of the Nigerian nation and that you are willing and ready to contribute to building bridges of unity across both imaginary and real divides”, he added.
He said: “I listened to my lord, the Chief Judge administering the oath of office of you, and I said to myself: if our leaders, including myself live by the dictates of that oath, Nigeria will not today be bugged down with issues of ethnicity along religious divides.
“Unfortunately, at this point even those who have had the rare privilege of presiding over the affairs of the nation some have recoiled to become ethnic champions. Those ones should not be your role model. As young people, you must see through what is right and refuse to copy what is wrong. You must be inspired by the infinite possibilities that our country offers. You must not be detained by the deficit you can easily point at in various aspect of our national life. The building of our nation is work in progress. We have challenges here and there and there is no nation on the planet that does not have its fair share of national challenge.
“So I assure you that in spite of some of the disincentive that you have noticed, the promise of our great nation will be fulfilled, if not by leaders of the moment by yourselves, as you become leaders of the country”, the Governor said.
“In Edo State, we don’t have natives, we don’t have settlers, we just have Edo people. Once you live in Edo State you are entitled to all the privileges.”
The Governor assured the NYSC that Edo State Government regard them as partners in progress adding that the state has the obligation to ensure their welfare, wellbeing and security.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Youth and Sport and Chairman of the Governing Board of the NYSC, Mr. Chris Okaeben, said the program for the orientation has been deliberately designed to prepare the members for life in the larger society. He said Edo State is a peace loving state and assured the Corp Members of a successful stay.