VICE President Yemi Osinbajo, Thursday described the classification of Nigerians as ‘indigenes’and’non-indigenes’ as a form of apartheid.

The Vice President stated this at the National Social Cohesion Dialogue organized by the Africa Polling Institute, at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja. Prof. Osinbajo was speaking against the common practices of exclusion and discrimination against citizens, based on the factor of state of origin.

He said Nigerians resident in parts of the country other than their states of origin have continued to suffer discrimination from their fellow citizens as well as governments of the states of residence, perpetually denied rights to common provisions and opportunities to further their personal goals because of the indigene and non-indigene factor, thereby making them feel that their identities as a weapon against them.

He, however, noted that such practices are opposed to the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, adding that Nigerians are a people, whose destinies have become so interlinked and inseparable, urging all Nigerians to embrace unity and cohesion.

The Vice President in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Mr Laolu Akande, said “in many quarters, there are feelings of alienation and exclusion. To this point, we must recognize the ways in which we perpetuate institutional discrimination and cause people to see their identities as weapons for procuring opportunity, often at the expense of others.

“We see this whenever Nigerians are denied opportunity on the basis of their state of origin or because they are ‘non- indigenes’. We see it when a Nigerian that has been resident in a state all his life is suddenly excluded from admission into an educational institution or an employment opportunity because he is not considered an ‘indigene.
All Nigerians have a constitutional right to live, work and enjoy their lives in peace and safety under the law. The classification of Nigerians as ‘indigenes’ and ‘non-indigenes’ is a form of apartheid and contradicts our declared aspirations towards equality and unity.

“Our Constitution enjoins government to ‘secure full residence rights for every citizen in all parts of the Federation’ and this is an imperative that we must commit to across all tiers of government. All that should matter in evaluating ourselves is where we live and fulfill our civic obligations.

“This is why when we launched our Social Investment Programmes, the eligible beneficiaries were selected based on their states of residence and none was discriminated against on any basis. This was in keeping with the idea that the only true path to national progress lies in broadening access to opportunity for all Nigerians without qualification.
“Our destinies have become so interlinked as to be inseparable. This is why this administration is investing heavily in transportation infrastructure – road, rail, sea and river ports – to reduce the distances between our people and link localities to markets and enable trade, travel and tourism.

“Our constitution guarantees a full portfolio of civil liberties and it is the responsibility of Government at all levels to give life to these provisions. For example, states should as a matter of deliberate policy ensure that the freedom of worship and provide spaces in which citizens can lawfully erect places of worship”, he said.

He noted that despite the activities of those with divisive agenda, Nigeria will prevail over her tribulations due to the resilience, faith, hope and strength of its people.

Describing Nigerians as “an unbreakable people”, the Vice President emphasized the shared interests of Nigerians across different facets of life, noting that Nigeria’s diversity can be used to drive further economic growth.

He explained, “and in the face of the challenges confronting us, we must remind ourselves of certain truths. The first is that our present challenges are neither unique nor exceptional. Various nations at various points in their histories underwent similar tribulations. It is within our power to address these issues and emerge from them even stronger as a people.

“Despite the divisive rhetoric of demagogues and the utterances of those who profit from disharmony, Nigerians do not hate each other. Every day, millions of Nigerians of different ethnicities and creeds comingle, make common cause and forge friendships across our fabled fault lines. While we have our share of such acrimony, the situation does not support the narrative that we are a nation of fragments condemned to be perpetually at each other’s throats.

“What matters is how committed we are to the constructive management of diversity and the peaceful resolution of such conflict. This is where we can and should certainly work much harder.”

Advocating for unity despite sundry differences, the VP warned against “polarising identity politics”.

He said, “the truth is that Nigeria has evolved beyond the sort of easy balkanization that is proposed by some separatists. Politicians who continue to traffic in division and discord are behind the times and have failed to take note of how much more integrated our society has become.”

Noting that the fair, swift and equitable dispensation of justice to address both everyday grievances and long-suffered wrongs is essential for fostering social cohesion, the Vice President added that, “we must strengthen institutions which at every level can deliver justice, inclusion and mutual security.”

I hate hypocrites.

Same Osinbajo employed over 35 of his aides from one ethnic extraction....all his aides from west or tied to west.

Osinbajo should have equally appointed other ethnicities to know that indeed he is truthful and sincere with his words.

He will say one and do another..


Jibola Ajayi – special adviser, legal;

Lanre Osinbona – senior special assistant, ICT;

Jide Awolowo – special adviser, oil and gas;

Lilian Idiaghe- special adviser, research, legal;

Edobor Iyamu – senior special assistant, Niger Delta;

Dolapo Bright – senior special; assistant, agro allied value chain;

Toyosi Onaolapo special adviser, community engagement.

Bisi Ogungbemi – special adviser, political matters;

Edirin Akemu – senior special assistant, industry, trade & investment;

Akin Soetan senior technical assistant, economic matters;

Ife Adebayo – special adviser, innovation;

Yussuf Ali – special adviser, power regulations;

Tola Asekun – senior special assistant, National Boundary Commission;

Morakinyo Beckley – special adviser, off grid power;

Yosola Akinbi – senior special assistant, NEC;

Bode Gbore – senior special assistant, political;

Kolade Sofola – special adviser, infrastructure;

Ebi Awosika – senior technical assistant, community engagement;

Muyiwa Abiodun – senior special assistant, power;

Forri Samson – Banu special adviser, entrepreneurship;

Feyishayo Aina – senior special assistant, community engagement;

Halima Bawa – special adviser, community engagement.


And others.

This osinbajo Na mumu

Honestly for a nation ,state ,local government and her community to develop we should all stop the issue of discrimination, under Nigeria constitution you are entitled to some right after you might lived and spend few years in a place

okefranci:
Honestly for a nation ,state ,local government and her community to develop we should all stop the issue of discrimination, under Nigeria constitution you are entitled to some right after you might lived and spend few years in a place

Never,you can't try that when you in a country with Islamic terrorists, it's suicide mission understand that,we aren't in a normal country

babasolution:
This osinbajo Na mumu

Your entired family na Mumu

All the challenges the nation is passing through are temporary, will soon be over. Nigeria will bounce back greater and stronger

Osibanjo and buhari are one.




Hypocrites.

TheRareGem1:
All the challenges the nation is passing through are temporary, will soon be over. Nigeria will bounce back greater and stronger

There will never be peace in Nigeria until we allow Biafrans to leave.



Nigeria with only We yoruba and Hausafulani will be a wonderful country

Juliusmalema:
I hate hypocrites.

Same Osinbajo employed over 35 of his aides from one ethnic extraction....all his aides from west or tied to west.

Osinbajo should have equally appointed other ethnicities to know that indeed he is truthful and sincere with his words.

He will say one and do another..


Jibola Ajayi – special adviser, legal;

Lanre Osinbona – senior special assistant, ICT;

Jide Awolowo – special adviser, oil and gas;

Lilian Idiaghe- special adviser, research, legal;

Edobor Iyamu – senior special assistant, Niger Delta;

Dolapo Bright – senior special; assistant, agro allied value chain;

Toyosi Onaolapo special adviser, community engagement.

Bisi Ogungbemi – special adviser, political matters;

Edirin Akemu – senior special assistant, industry, trade & investment;

Akin Soetan senior technical assistant, economic matters;

Ife Adebayo – special adviser, innovation;

Yussuf Ali – special adviser, power regulations;

Tola Asekun – senior special assistant, National Boundary Commission;

Morakinyo Beckley – special adviser, off grid power;

Yosola Akinbi – senior special assistant, NEC;

Bode Gbore – senior special assistant, political;

Kolade Sofola – special adviser, infrastructure;

Ebi Awosika – senior technical assistant, community engagement;

Muyiwa Abiodun – senior special assistant, power;

Forri Samson – Banu special adviser, entrepreneurship;

Feyishayo Aina – senior special assistant, community engagement;

Halima Bawa – special adviser, community engagement.


And others.

As for me, Osinbanjo is overhype. I don't see him bringing any meaningful changes if he becomes the president.

He is almost like the man from Otuoke

okefranci:
Honestly for a nation ,state ,local government and her community to develop we should all stop the issue of discrimination, under Nigeria constitution you are entitled to some right after you might lived and spend few years in a place

This is not possible in Nigeria. An Igbo man can't become the Governor in Oyo, just the way a Fulani man can't become the governor in Bayelsa.

For Nigeria to develop, we have to tell ourselves the truth.

We need a totally dissolution of power to the state and LG

Rubbish
Nigeria is not a republic
It is a federal Republic of Nigeria


We have many ethnic groups

DubaiLandLord:
This is not possible in Nigeria. An Igbo man can't become the Governor in Oyo, just the way a Fulani man can't become the governor in Bayelsa.

For Nigeria to develop, we have to tell ourselves the truth.

We need a totally dissolution of power to the state and LG

exactly
Well said

.

I doubt if this man will make a good president if elected as most people think. infact am beginning to dispise anybody or anything associated to buhari.

This one wey no get Ambition since


Can u just keep quiet

My hands are tide offical

jimyjames:
People insult and curse ironsi for turning this country to a unitary country, the truth is these are some of the things ironsi was trying to tackle with the unitary system decree he declared, a country where everyone will be equal a country where the indigenes can live work and school in any part of the country with no one questioning his/her tribe or ethnicity a country where a Fulani born or raised in Enugu with the right qualification become a mayor in Enugu, an igbo born /raised in Jos can become Mayor of Jos a yoruba born /raised in portarcourt can become a mayor in portarcourt etc as long as you are a Nigerian and qualified for a specific job you will be given to job without looking at your tribe

I can't believe this
So the unitary decree is now good?
Just because of your ethnic sentiments?
Evil is evil
That unitary decree was evil!

theInterpreter:

I can't believe this
So the unitary decree is now good?
Just because of your ethnic sentiments?
Evil is evil
That unitary decree was evil!

It was never evil intended, ironsi had crisis on his hands, that unitary decree was ment to unite us not tear us apart, Gowon borrowed from the true intentions of that decree to create NYSC , plus ironsi's decree was just a temporary one till the country was calm enough to hand it back to civil rule