Nigeria@61: Nigeria can’t stand without the people – Gombe private school owner
Chima Azubuike
The need for the unity of Nigeria has been re-emphasized, as the country marks 61st independence anniversary.
Recall that the country gained independence in 1960 from her British colonial masters.
Making this clarion call in Gombe State, Grace Samuel, a Co-proprietress of Alheri Model Schools, said no country can exist without her people, adding that the population is an added advantage to the survival of the Nigerian entity.
Samuel made this disclosure on Monday, at a cultural event to commemorate the 61st independence of Nigeria, tagged ‘Unity in Diversity’.
According to her, Humanity in every individual is primary before the question of identity, stressing that no particular way of life should be seen as the most authentic leaving others at the receiving end.
“Today, is a very special day for us in Alheri Model Schools, we are celebrating the cultural day, combined with the independence celebration. We know there are various groups that came together to form Nigeria. Nigeria can not exist without the people and these people come from diverse backgrounds.
“First of all, we are humans then some of us are Muslims, while others are Christians, some others pagans and some come from different geographical locations. From what we are seeing here, there are children from various backgrounds. Some from Gombe, and outside; we have the Igbos, Yorubas, Hausas, Fulanis, Tangales, Terras, Igalas, Idomas and so on.
“Culture is a way of life of a people and each one of us has his own way of life, you don’t demean others and exhort your own. Each person’s own is good, so long as it does not teach you to kill somebody. So I call on our children to inculcate and uphold good values of our cultures that will help us move our Nation forward, the more the merrier but if we begin to polarise Nigeria, then the country can’t stand,” Samuel said.
Commenting on the desperation to lead as exhibited by some rulers, Samuel noted that not everyone would be fortunate to take on leadership roles, stressing that a greater majority can support to make things work.
She added, “There must be one leader at a time and we can not lead without understanding that we come from different points and one must give the other the needed opportunity to lead. This can not happen unless we understand our peculiarities to understand that each one of us has something to bring to the table.
“So, therefore, whether I’m Fulani, Hausa, Igbo or Yoruba, one thing that binds us together is that we are from this Nation, Nigeria. When we have a singular focus we work in unity, agreement and then we will respect each others value and together we grow this Nation.”
Also speaking, Principal of Alheri Model Schools, Henry Pundi while congratulating the students for an excellent performance, urged them to focus on their academic work going forward.
Pundi said, “You will go and get yourselves set for tomorrow academic activities. I believe you enjoyed yourselves and of course your pain has come down. You won’t need to think about too much things. Tomorrow we will continue from where we stopped, thank you for coming.
“We thank our parents for all their efforts and the teachers for everything they did to ensure this event was successful.”
Highlight of the occasion was dance by various cultural groups, drama presentation, eating of local cuisine by parents and guests.
