Senator Jarigbe Agom
‘Ethnicity, education, politics can make or mar Nigeria’s development’ – Senator Jarigbe
[From ANIEKAN ANIEKAN, Calabar]
Senator representing Cross River North in the National Assembly, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, says ethnicity, education and politics can make or mar the country’s development.
He made this known at the International Conference Centre of the University of Calabar during the inaugural Registry Day and Lecture of the institution.
Senator Jarigbe’s lecture was titled: ‘Ethnicity, Education and Politics: A Triple SWOT Analysis and the National Question.’
He argued that ethnicity, education and politics are a triple-edged sword, with both positive and negative effects depending on how they are used in the process of nation building and development.
He stressed that while they are potent drivers of development and advancement, their wrong use promotes conflict and makes nation building an insurmountable task.
In his words: “As creations of man, Ethnicity, Education and Politics have served useful purposes for various societies around the world.
“Through them, the fortunes of many individuals and societies have been reshaped irreversibly.
“All men and women who transformed their societies through exceptional leadership were men of unusual intelligence and ability who did not allow their ethnic origins to becloud their sense of judgment in services to their nation.
“This is true of men like Clinton, Blair, Lee Kuan Yew, Chou en Lai, Jiang Zemin, Nelson Mandela, qnd others.
“On the other hand, ethnicity education and politics can destroy a nation if they are out to bad use as we have seen many African countries, including Nigeria”, he said.
He said as Nigerians we need to be challenges by the incredible levels of social and economic development and political stability that many other nations, including those with a more diverse ethnic and religious pluralism have achieved.
He said if other countries have been able to manage or contain various centrifugal forces, why would Nigeria fail despite its enormous human and natural resources.
He submitted that it has become imperative for people to stop using politicized ethnicity to cause ethnic hatred, acrimony and suspicion to boost their political standing.
Earlier, the registrar of the institution Gabriel Egbe, said the day is meant to reflect on their relevance, competence, abilities, opportunities as well as challenges which are hallmarks of good administration.
