Hate speeches, quit notices hurt Nigerians, says Senator Tinubu

Hate speeches and quit notices from one ethnic group to another are injurious to the health of Nigeria as a nation and capable of damaging the gains of its diversity.

Representative of Lagos Central Senatorial District, Oluremi Tinubu made this assertion while speaking at the Town Hall meeting she held with her constituents in Surulere, Lagos at the weekend.

She described Nigeria as a complex country, but noted that its greatness lies in its diversity and the different groups that form the whole. A coalition of Northern groups called Arewa Youths had earlier issued a quit notice to the Igbo in the Northern part of the country to quit the region by October 1, 2017, but following widespread condemnation, the group later rescinded the quit notice.

Tinubu commended the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) for prevailing on the youths to withdraw the quit notice. Her words: “I also appeal to others to follow suit and take back any statements capable of leading to hostilities and apprehension.”

The 23rd meeting with the theme: Embracing our Complexity and Diversity was attended by Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun; Secretary, All Progressives Congress (APC), Lagos State, Hakeem Bamgbala; Lagos Central Senatorial Leader, Tajudeen Olusi; former Commissioner for Finance, Olawale Edun and former House of Representatives member, Wale Oshun, among others.

She charged Nigerians to re-evaluate themselves and those around them so as to adequately benefit from the diversity of ideas and experiences, which are important for the development of the country.

Tinubu said Nigeria and other states have a lot to learn from Lagos State, pointing out that Lagos “with all the different ethnicities that make up Nigeria residing in one big city, has proven that indeed, it is possible to coexist peacefully.

“This is only possible because of the all-inclusive governance of the state government and the provision of opportunities for all regardless of ethnic groups, social standing or religion,” she added.

She also disclosed that the Senatorial District was included in Small Scale Business Enterprises Management Skills Training Programme organised by the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) from Monday July 17– Friday July 21, 2017.