In a thought-provoking speech delivered at a national dialogue and book presentation event in Abuja, former President Goodluck Jonathan shared his insights on Nigeria’s journey from independence to nationhood. He asserted that while Nigeria’s founding fathers rightfully deserve credit for securing independence, they must also bear some responsibility for failing to adequately build a unified nation thereafter.
The event, organized to honor Prof. Udenta Udenta’s 60th birthday and featuring the presentation of 21 books authored by him, provided a platform for Jonathan to reflect on the state of the nation. Jonathan, who chaired the occasion, drew a comparison between Udenta Udenta and former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere, commending Nyerere’s dedication to forging Tanzanian nationhood.
Jonathan remarked that Nigerian founding fathers placed too much emphasis on ethnic and identity politics, neglecting the crucial task of forging a cohesive national identity. He stated, “Have we been able to convince ourselves whether we are a state or a nation? If we are a country and a state, how do we become a nation?”
While acknowledging that he wasn’t blaming the founding fathers, Jonathan pointed out that they operated more as individuals, with some even disputing the existence of a unified Nigerian nation. He highlighted the polarization of the country during its early political party formations, where regional parties dominated, and alliances for the purpose of national governance were scarce.
Drawing a comparison with Tanzania, Jonathan praised Julius Nyerere for successfully uniting a diverse population under the banner of Tanzanian nationhood, even with differences in language, religion, and ethnicity. Nyerere’s focus on education and language, particularly the promotion of Swahili, played a pivotal role in fostering unity among Tanzanians.
Jonathan also recalled his efforts at nation-building during his presidency, citing the 2014 national conference aimed at addressing the nation’s fault lines. He expressed confidence that implementing the recommendations from that conference could pave the way for a stronger, more unified Nigeria.
In closing, Jonathan’s remarks shed light on the ongoing struggle to transform Nigeria from a mere geographical entity into a cohesive and united nation. His perspective serves as a reminder of the challenges that have marked the nation’s journey since gaining independence.
Additionally, at the same event, former Minister of Aviation and PDP chieftain, Osita Chidoka, urged political parties to respect the outcome of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, advising potential candidates to prepare for future elections regardless of the verdict.
