Osinbajo, others warn against hate speeches

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and other prominent Nigerians at the weekend warned Nigerians to desist from throwing hate speeches at each other, saying such development would not only heat up the politics but lead to violence.

According to the Vice President, Nigeria as a nation already has its hands full of challenges that needed urgent attention, therefore it would be counter productive to compound the problem with hate speeches among the people.

He said religious and traditional leaders have much to do to bring the people together in brotherly love and work towards enhancing the socio-economic and political growth of the country.

Osinbajo made the remarks at the launch of a book written by the former Commandant, National Defence College, Nigeria, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade (rtd) . The Book titled  “The making of a million smiles: Reflections on Rwanda’s Rise from the ashes”  was launched at the auditorium of the National Defence College, Abuja.

The Vice President who was represented by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, said Nigerians should learn from  Rwanda’s mistakes and avoid the repetition of any of such in African countries, particularly Nigeria.

“It will be a wise thing if we copy the Rwanda’s progress after serious torture of unwarranted killings that took place in that country in 1994, we should avoid making hate speeches that would lead us into crisis.

“I am also calling on religious leaders and traditional rulers to live up to their responsibilities. They have the duty to advice politicians who are using hate speech as their campaign tool to also desist from that.

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“We cannot shy away from the fact that we all have responsibilities to make a difference. You know we have security challenges, all across the country. We have the problems of  Boko Haram operating in the Northeast, kidnapping, herders/ farmers clashes, as well as Niger Delta’s agitators. All these issues in one way or another affect our economy and social system, and as a matter of fact put our economy behind growth,” he stated.

Other prominent Nigerians who also advised Nigerians, especially political leaders to desist from hate speeches are the Defence Minister, Mansur Dan Ali, the Governors of Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu, the Governor of Ekiti state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, and former Minister of Interior, Major Gen. Ibrahim BM Haruna and the Chairman of Leadership Newspaper, Nda Isaiah.

Major Gen. Haruna who chaired the occassion expressed admiration for the language of delivery and quality of mind of the author, describing it as excellent and lucid.

Gen. Haruna said the message of the book should not be lost on us as a nation, saying it was a clarion call for leaders at all levels to rally the people around goals that would foster unity and rapid development of the country.

In his good message the chairman/ the publisher of the LEADERSHIP Newspaper Groups LTD, Sam Nda Isaah said that the Alade’s book has reflected him the memory of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide which is not advisable of any Nation to experience.

The Minister of Defence, Dan Ali who was represented by the Director Health Services in the Ministry, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, lauded the efforts of the author, saying the book would add more values to the way we relate with ourselves in the country.

Ondo State Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Alfred Agboola Ajayi commended the efforts of Rear Admiral Alade for putting the book together, saying that the Balogun of Akure would continue to leave indelible inprints in the sands of time through hardwork, dedication and service to fatherland.

Mr Nda Isaiah cautioned that he had witnessed similar experiences (hate speeches and crises) in Kaduna, warning  the same scenerio is on-going in Zamfara State and called on the authorities to more proactive in addressing the challenges facing the country.

The founder of Elizade Nigeria (ltd) Chief Michael Ade Ojo, Dr Tunji Abayomi, senior military officers both serving and retired and the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo were among other personalities who graced the book launch.