Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called on Nigerians to promote unity and togetherness on the country.
According to him, Nigeria stands to benefit more as a nation if it remained together, than divided.
Delivering the 8th convocation lecture of the Osun State University on Saturday, the Osinbajo noted: “Rather than promoting division, Nigerians should continue to promote unity and togetherness.
“It is not true that our diversity is an impediment to our sustainability; our strength is in our size.
“Great nations are those that stay together despite their diversity.
“Going our separate ways will not solve our problems; staying together will be of great benefit to us.
“Nigeria still holds the key to Africa’s development and remains a regional champion.
“Our manifest destiny is to lead Africa and the world, so we must be united.
“Nigeria’s outstanding endowments are facing challenges, but the nation must follow the path that made other nations great.”
In the lecture titled “Six Decades of Chequered Nationhood: Nigeria Still Holds The Key To Africa’s Development,” the Vice President stressed the need for Nigeria to be guided by merit over quota in appointments.
He also harped on the importance of investing in human development capital.
The Vice President said that President Muhammadu Buhari was doing his possible best to lift Nigerians out of poverty.
“The Federal Government is investing in infrastructure, agriculture, education, power, technology, innovation and social investment programmes to empower Nigerians.
“On a daily basis, the Federal Government feeds 9.5 million children under its National School Feeding Programme in 26 states in the country.
“Already, 520 Nigerians have been engaged under the N-Power programme, while tradermoni programme to empower petty traders is still ongoing,” Osinbajo said.
In his remarks, Gov. Gboyega Oyetola of Osun state encouraged the graduating students to be good ambassadors of the university as they journey in life.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Labode Popoola, in his speech, disclosed that 49 students made First Class, while 670 had Second Class Upper.
He said also that 892 students made Second Class Lower, 194 Third Class, while nine graduated with Pass degrees.
Some notable Nigerians among them the Interior Minister, Rauf Aregbesola, Mr. Jim Ovie, CEO Zenith Bank, Mr. Wale Babalakin, Chairman, University of Lagos Governing Council, and Mrs. Nike Okundaye, CEO Nike Gallery, were given honorary degrees at the ceremony.
