The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja (FUL) Prof. Olayemi Akinwunmi, has admonished Nigerians against using religion, ethnicity, and politics to destroy the fabric and pillars that hold the people together as a nation.

Akinwunmi made the call at the Nigerian Post Newspapers Annual Lecture/Award to mark “Kogi at 31” at the NUJ Press Centre on Thursday in Lokoja.

The Professor of History said that Nigerians should always take a retrospective look at the history of Nigeria and ensure that centrifugal forces were kept at bay or avoided completely.

He likened the country to a house with historical relevance saying that he recently presented his inaugural lecture in Keffi, Nasarawa State with a title, “Before we set the house ablaze, let us consult the Oracle.”

The Oracle, according to him, is the history of long peaceful co-existence and mutual economic, political, and social relevance and benefits to all constituents the diversity notwithstanding.

The topic of this year’s lecture: “Governance, Leadership Re-defined: The House Must Not Fall”, is very apt when we consider what is happening in the country today.

“We must not use ethnicity to destroy this country, we must not use religion to destroy this house, we must not use ethnicity to destroy this house, we must not use politics to destroy this house.

“As we talk about leadership, Nigeria is at a crossroads now. I think we should look inward to see those who are ready to satisfy us, those who will take Nigeria to the next level.

Akinwunmi held that in spite of the nation’s foibles, Nigeria would be greater saying, “I am not a prophet but I see a greater Nigeria, I see a country that is ready to take a decisive position in world affairs.”

The Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Stephen Ocheni, former Minister of State for Labour and Productivity said that Nigerians were yearning for good governance.

He stressed that those presenting themselves for election into various offices in the incoming election must come to terms with the huge expectations of the people.

Ocheni urged candidates for various leadership positions to focus and channel their capacities to the greatest priority of moving the country forward for the sustenance of the nation’s democracy.

Culled from the National Update