For Nigeria to get out of the current elusive peace, prosperity and national development, governments at all levels must live up to their primary constitutional responsibilities of protection of lives and property, dispensation of justice, and uphold fairness and equity to all Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic, tribal or religious backgrounds.
Former Minister of Information and National Orientation and one of the pioneers of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Professor Jerry Gana, made this assertion on Wednesday in a keynote address delivered at the 32nd Triennial General Assembly and the 96th Anniversary Celebrations of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) held in Abuja.
Speaking on the theme, “Justice, Fairness and Equity As Foundation For Nation-Building,” Professor Gana noted that the Holy Scriptures made it clear that the foundation of God’s throne was established in justice and righteousness.
According to him, the Ten Commandments God gave to man are reflective of His love for fairness and equity in relationships. “God does not support injustice, unfairness, and inequity,” he added.
For Nigeria to attain the goals of nation-building, the Federal Government should demonstrate leadership in ensuring justice for all Nigerians.
“No justice, no peace. If we want to have peace in Nigeria, there must be justice, ” he stressed. He lamented the increasing wave of terrorism specifically targeting Christians and queried the motives behind the recent upsurge in abduction secondary school girls across Northern Nigeria.
Professor Gana, who was a Senator and former National Director of Mass Mobilisation for Social and Economic Reconstruction (MAMSER) stated that the road to peace, prosperity and national development must be paved and graded with justice and security.
He pointed out the importance of reaching an agreement and consensus on building a civic society.
To achieve this, he stressed the significant role of leadership. Echoing the late Professor Chinua Achebe, Gana attributed Nigeria’s ordeals to the problem of leadership. “Nothing happens without leadership,” he posited.
He listed the qualities of leadership needed by Nigeria at the moment as follows: integrity, trust, character, capacity, courage, and wisdom.
