Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has called for a redefinition of Nigeria's collective identity to foster unity and sustainable governance. He made the appeal during the Annual Lecture Series at the Yoruba Tennis Club in Onikan, Lagos, where he delivered a paper titled "Inclusive Governance and National Unity: Lessons from Delta State for a More United Nigeria." Oborevwori stressed that Nigeria's diversity should be a strength, not a source of division, and warned that unity cannot be assumed but must be deliberately cultivated.
He pointed to recurring tensions rooted in ethnic and religious identities as evidence of a weak national consciousness. The governor urged the adoption of structured dialogue and inclusive governance as tools to bridge divides. Drawing from Delta State's experience, he said his administration has worked to balance ethnic interests to prevent governance from being seen as one-group dominance.
Oborevwori proposed revitalising the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to enhance national integration among young people. He also advocated for a national curriculum that teaches a shared history, values, and symbols to create a unified national narrative. He said the media and entertainment industry should promote content that celebrates Nigeria's diversity while discouraging narratives that reinforce stereotypes or ridicule ethnic groups.
He described nation-building as requiring more than rhetoric, calling for deliberate policies and sustained investment in integration programmes. The lecture was delivered before an audience of elite intellectuals and public figures.
Oborevwori speaks of unity while governing a state where ethnic balance is fragile, exposing the gap between idealism and local realities. His call for a shared national identity rings hollow without addressing how Delta's own governance tensions mirror the national divide. A national curriculum and reformed NYSC may sound progressive, but they cannot succeed if current leadership fails to model inclusiveness. The lecture was well-timed, but words alone won't reshape a nation built on unequal identities.
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