Joshua Egbodo
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, has declared that national integration remains the utmost priority of the parliament in the ongoing constitution amendment process.
Abbas made the submissions while delivering a keynote address at the National Integration Conference themed “Revisiting the National Question: Nigeria’s Elusive Search for National Integration”, organised by The Kukah Centre at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre on Friday in Abuja.
Represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Abbas said that Nigeria’s diversity can propel innovative solutions to the economic challenges bedeviling the country.
“Nigeria’s pluralism, characterised by its vast diversity in ethnicity, language, and religion, offers a remarkable asset to the nation. Our cultural diversity can significantly enhance global diplomatic and economic relationships.
“The varied perspectives and skills stemming from this diversity can foster
innovative solutions to economic and social challenges, driving sustainable
development.
“The core of my keynote address here is to emphasise that embracing and leveraging this pluralism can propel Nigeria towards a more unified and prosperous future, where the collective strengths of its diverse population are fully harnessed.
“Herein lies the critical role of the legislature in promoting national
integration. Lawmakers at both the national and sub-national levels are not
only constitutionally mandated to represent the collective interest of all
Nigerians and ensure that laws, policies and programmes of government recognise diversity and actively promote and protect it,” he said.
