Activist urges youths to shun hate speeches, promote national cohesion
NAN-H-41
Cohesion
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), June 12, 2017 (NAN) The President, National Youths Empowerment Initiative, Dr Aliyu Shamsuddeen, has urged Nigerian youth to shun hate speeches and spearhead initiatives to promote national cohesion.
Shamsuddeen made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Zaria, Kaduna State on Monday.
He said that those stoking embers of disunity and disintegration do not mean well for the country, adding that the youth should not allow their future to be mortgaged by selfish people.
“We are not in support of this move, looking at the level of progress recorded in Nigeria in terms of political awareness, physical development and social interaction.
“God Almighty has reason for creating us to live together, therefore, we need one another to be able to take the country to the next level of development.
“Tribal, religious or sectional differences should not be a yardstick to divide this country, we must continue to tolerate and accommodate one another for the good of the nation,” he said.
Shamsuddeen cited the example of the U.S, where he said, in spite of its high number of tribes from different cultural backgrounds, the country’s democracy had thrived for over 200 years.
“Countries like China and India have a large population, yet they were able to sustain their democracy irrespective of religious and cultural differences.
“In view of this, I want to appeal to our youths to be law abiding citizens and endeavour to be patriotic to be able to contribute to national growth and development.”
According to him, any form of fracas in the country would give the military the excuse to take over power from civil authority.
“We want a situation where Nigeria will practice democracy for 100 years, let the military men concentrate on their primary responsibility of protecting the nation.
“The attempt by a section of this country to break up which resulted in civil war had greatly affected the progress of this country, hence the need for all Nigerians to be cautious,” he added.
Shamsuddeen said that his organisation was making consultations with groups in the North and South of the country to consolidate the oneness of Nigeria.
“We have already sent messages to factions involved as well as all stakeholders across the country, so that collectively we can make Nigeria great.” (NAN)
KLM/YMU/MZA
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Edited by Maharazu Ahmed