The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has called for the review of the curricula of primary and secondary schools in the country to reflect the new direction of fostering national unity.
He made the call while delivering a keynote address at the Nation Integration Conference organised by The Kukah Centre (TKC) in Abuja on Friday.
The Speaker who was represented by Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, at the occasion noted that education was an important tool in fostering national unity and could play a pivotal role in managing diversity.
“We must review the primary and secondary school curricula to ensure that young Nigerians know the various cultures and religions that constitute Nigeria.
“We can foster understanding and tolerance from a young age. Such educational policies prepare our children for the complexities of a diverse world and instil in them the values of coexistence and respect.
“Our educational reform must also address the socialisation processes that promote primordial chauvinism. We can move towards a more cohesive and inclusive society by challenging these ingrained attitudes and fostering a sense of shared identity based on our common humanity,” he posited.
Tajudeen expressed the commitment of the members of the House of Representatives to ensuring that the laws they pass reflect their dedication to fostering national unity.
“Our legislative agenda in the 10th House is strategically designed to address the challenges that slow our unity and journey towards a ‘more perfect union’.
“As the people’s representatives, we will ensure strict adherence to constitutional provisions regarding federal character and affirmative action, ensuring equitable representation and resource allocation across all regions and geopolitical zones,” he added.
In his address of welcome, the founder of TKC, Bishop Mathew Kukah, said Nigerians were always fighting rather than taking the path of peace.
“Nigerians take so much for granted that we forget that one day if we continue to ignore the sense of building our nation, we could end up as refugees.
“So this is just a prelude to a bigger conversation to call attention to the urgency of nation-building.
“National cohesion is important because, without it, it is impossible for us to grow. So I bring to the table a bit of my own anxieties about the fact that national cohesion cannot wait,” he said.
Also speaking at the programme, Sen. Adam Oshiomhole said religion was one of the greatest dividing forces in Nigeria, cautioning that following Jesus Christ doesn’t translate to wealth.
He posited that enacting new laws won’t change anything if Nigerians fail to reform their belief system.
