NewStats: 3,259,521 , 8,170,417 topics. Date: Sunday, 25 May 2025 at 12:49 PM w4c6a

By John Alechenu

23 June 2021

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has said the rest of Nigeria can learn something about the management of ethnic and religious diversity from the South West.

He attributed Nigeria’s current problems to its failure to properly manage its diversity in a way that gives minorities a sense of belonging.

The former president said this in an address at the 13th Joe-Kyari Gadzama Public Lecture with the theme: ‘Redefining Democracy: Yearnings of the Minority in a Democratic Setting,’ which was held virtually.

Jonathan said, “That is the only part of Nigeria where we feel has been able to manage religion and development very well.

“So, we must look at our own unique circumstances and come up with the right form of government.”

Jonathan explained that he honoured the invitation to the event out of his respect for the host, Mr. Joe-Kyari Gadzama (SAN), and the rule of law.

The former president noted that in the case of Nigeria, the complications associated with the marginalisation of minority groups and tribes were identified decades ago and that efforts were made across generations to solve the problems.

He described the setting up of the Willinks Commission by the colonial government as one of such efforts.

Jonathan expressed sadness that although the Federal Character Commission was established as part of efforts to address the issue of marginalisation, it was yet to fully achieve its set objective.

He said, “The Federal Character Commission over many decades may have been doing its best to give everyone fair representation and a fair sense of belonging, but there are still many who feel that this agency of government has not fully addressed the challenges of accommodating minorities.”

https://punchng.com/only-south-west-has-properly-managed-its-diversity-says-jonathan/

Ipobians and Fulanis migrate the most and still the worst extremist and segregate alot

sweetshisha:
Ipobians and Fulanis migrate the most and still the worst extremist and segregate alot

One has to apply caution when in an unfriendly company.

If they praise you for your ethnic diversity know that one day, they are coming to take what is yours.

Diversity is a killer and a stealer. What diversity does is to take the opportunity meant for natives and give it to non indigenes, then you and non natives start fighting for resources and opportunities in your own land leading to ethnic tensions.

Those that praise the south west for diversity will never allow it in their land, go to their universities and ministries, only natives works there.

They preach diversity when they want to take what is meant for you and then preach you are not from here when you go to their own land to seek opportunity.

sweetshisha:
Ipobians and Fulanis migrate the most and still the worst extremist and segregate alot

Keep IPOB off ur mouth for once, you will not die!

Meanwhile Southwest is managing its diversity well because those that claim to be Muslims are just there. Not like the stupid fundamentalists you have up north.

Well except for that muMURIC irredentist that recently took up the robe of religious iberiberism.

Well said Jonathan-Sama. Later, the betrayers will say you hate them. Well they're receiving their punishments for voting against you in 15

Penguin2:


Keep IPOB off ur mouth for once, you will not die!

Meanwhile Southwest is managing its diversity well because those that claim to be Muslims are just there. Not like the stupid fundamentalists you have up north.

Well except for that muMURIC irredentist that recently took up the robe of religious iberiberism.

Typical reasoning of Ipobians he has to blame Yoruba or Muslim, or fundametalist up north even when OSU system is still happening in his vilage

Nyanmiris will soon be here to rant.......

GEJ is spot on. He's not saying Yorubas are perfect but just that they have succeeded the best out of other regions to manage their diversity to foster relative peace, harmony, and development. Other sections of the country can study and learn their success formula.

BosseJ:
GEJ is spot on. He's not saying Yorubas are perfect but just that they have succeeded the best out of other regions to manage their diversity to foster peace, harmony, and development. Other sections of the country can study and learn their success formula.

Diversity does not bring any peace.

It brings competition for scared resources, ethnic tension, high crime rate, cultural shock and enmity.

If you know you know.

Yeah, there are advantages but the disadvantages is more than the advantage.

Countries where diversity is preached have lot of racial tension and discrimination.

thebosstrevor1:


Diversity does not bring any peace.

It brings competition for scared resources, ethnic tension, high crime rate, cultural shock and enmity.

If you know you know.

Yeah, there are advantages but the disadvantages is more than the advantage.

So what exactly is your point? That SWesterners should start fighting and killing each other instead of managing their diversity as they have been doing up to date? As we speak, 5 of the 6 SW governors are Christians, even in states that have slightly more Muslims than Christians. That shows that they defy your assertion about diversity. There are homogeneous states in Nigeria where the single dominant religions still fight and discriminate against one another.

thebosstrevor1:


Diversity does not bring any peace.

It brings competition for scared resources, ethnic tension, high crime rate, cultural shock and enmity.

If you know you know.

Yeah, there are advantages but the disadvantages is more than the advantage.

Countries where diversity is preached have lot of racial tension and discrimination.

it bring peace oo, if every one is sane enough to knw that there is a huge diff btwn peace and conflict,

Igbos are not religious tolerant and that's simple truth

Damisic:
it bring peace oo, if every one is sane enough to knw that there is a huge diff btwn peace and conflict,

I have never seen anywhere where diversity brings peace.

All countries that practise diversity have too much racial tensions. Any small trouble each race will be pointing fingers at the others leading to distrust.

Spot on!

BosseJ:


So what exactly is your point? That SWesterners should start fighting and kling each other instead of managing their diversity as they have been doing up to date? As we speak, 5 of the 6 SW governors are Christians, even in states that have slightly more Muslims than Christians. That shows that they defy your assertion about diversity. There are homogeneous states in Nigeria where the single dominant religions still fight and discriminate against one another.

I am not talking about religion here, but so called diversity based on ethnic line.

It is true that south west have been able to manage religious diversity that is because many families there have both Christians and muslims.

Diversity isn't only about religion but also ethnicity

thebosstrevor1:
If they praise you for your ethnic diversity know that one day, they are coming to take what is yours.

Diversity is a killer and a stealer. What diversity does is to take the opportunity meant for natives and give it to non indigenes, then you and non natives start fighting for resources and opportunities in your own land leading ethnic tensions.

Those that praise the south west for diversity will never allow it in their land, go to their universities and ministries, only natives works there.

They preach diversity when they want to take what is meant for you and then preach you are not from here when you go to their own land to seek opportunity.

Very apt, na we for SW think say we get sense when we are actually being robbed. Diversity is only sweet when those you tolerate don't rub it in your face and make you look stupid and powerless

thebosstrevor1:


Diversity does not bring any peace.

It brings competition for scared resources, ethnic tension, high crime rate, cultural shock and enmity.

If you know you know.

Yeah, there are advantages but the disadvantages is more than the advantage.

Countries where diversity is preached have lot of racial tension and discrimination.

the way your speak confirmed how bigot your are

thebosstrevor1:
If they praise you for your ethnic diversity know that one day, they are coming to take what is yours.

Diversity is a killer and a stealer. What diversity does is to take the opportunity meant for natives and give it to non indigenes, then you and non natives start fighting for resources and opportunities in your own land leading to ethnic tensions.

Those that praise the south west for diversity will never allow it in their land, go to their universities and ministries, only natives works there.

They preach diversity when they want to take what is meant for you and then preach you are not from here when you go to their own land to seek opportunity.

Are you talking about Ahmadu Bello's north?

The SW is divided roughly between the two major religions so none can actually bully or intimidate the other.

Most regions in the south are tolerant, in the East Catholics and non Catholics are treated equally too

Goke7:


Very apt, na we for SW think say we get sense where we are actually being robbed

The problem is many yorubas easily accept other cultures, with that it is easy for the dorminate culture to crumble and fall. It seems the yoruba identity isn't that strong.

Atleast some self preservation is very important, you can see that many igbos and northerners practise self preservation, that is why foreigners can hardly dorminate.

OdumegwuOjukwu:



Are you talking about Ahmadu Bello's north?

You practice the same thing in the east.

Ahmadu bello was preaching self preservation, if you had logically see what he was saying, he was trying to prevent massive blood shed.

Imagine if foreigners where the ones taking every opportunities in your land while your graduates are busy roaming about the streets with no job, it will easily create anti foreigner sentiments.

See the big picture

I don't know why yoruba muslims hate we yoruba christians.

Mangekyo:
Well said Jonathan-Sama. Later, the betrayers will say you hate them. Well they're receiving their punishments for voting against you in 15

This frustration u dey carry about. SMH

adekolaelect:
the way your speak confirmed how bigot your are

It has nothing to do with bigotry but self preservation.

Will you protect your family from crisis or leave your family and protect another family suffering from the same crisis. Apparently that will be stupidity.

As a human, you need to think about what is good for you first before thinking about others.

thebosstrevor1:


Diversity does not bring any peace.

It brings competition for scared resources, ethnic tension, high crime rate, cultural shock and enmity.

If you know you know.

Yeah, there are advantages but the disadvantages is more than the advantage.

Countries where diversity is preached have lot of racial tension and discrimination.

You be aboki for real. Are Yoruba diverse or not? What's that got to do with Preservation? You no do GNS101 for skul ni?

Tranquillity360:
I don't know why yoruba muslims hate we yoruba christians.

Ndifrustrated

BosseJ:


So what exactly is your point? That SWesterners should start fighting and killing each other instead of managing their diversity as they have been doing up to date? As we speak, 5 of the 6 SW governors are Christians, even in states that have slightly more Muslims than Christians. That shows that they defy your assertion about diversity. There are homogeneous states in Nigeria where the single dominant religions still fight and discriminate against one another.

That dude na aboki jare. No waste your time on top am. English na him problem.

sophxx:
You be aboki for real. Are Yoruba diverse or not? What's that got to do with Preservation? You no do GNS101 for skul ni?

We are all diverse but there is what is called identity.

In the north, there are different tribes but we know our identity is Hausa or fulani etc and we protect that identity.

Likewise in yoruba land, their are different tribes but the identity is Yoruba.

Protecting your people and making sure they get opportunities is called self preservation, your people first before others, if you don't do that, in due time either your people go hungry and die off or they get wiped out by stronger tribes.

I’m not a tribal bigot, but there is something special . From our culture to our traits.