Savannah Centre Hosts Dialogue on National Unity in Kano
By Mustapha Salisu
As part of their commitment to fostering national unity and prosperous development, the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy Democracy and Development (SCDDD) hosted a Leadership Effectiveness and Accountability Dialogue (LEAD) in Kano on Wednesday.
The dialogue, themed “Nigeria And The Challenge of National Unity Beyond The 2023 General Elections VS. The Imperative Of Dialogue For National Cohesion, Security And Development,” took place at Swiss Pearl Continental Hotel, Kano, with support from the MacArthur Foundation and Regional Consultative Forum.
Amb. Sani Bala (Wamban Katsina), the Executive Director of the Centre, emphasized in his welcome remarks that the stakeholders’ dialogue aimed to ensure that National Unity is embraced by all as a core obligation for purposeful development.
He stressed that a united nation paves the way for social, economic, and political progress, while disunity could undermine previous efforts.
On his part, Sir Bola Abimbola, SCDDD’s Senior Programs Manager/Head of Program, Communication & Advocacy, explained that the LEAD Project’s goal is to promote constructive engagement and national restructuring, enhancing national cohesion, good governance, and accountability.
“We also geared towards promoting Inclusivity, justice and fairness in the Nigerian polity, thereby engendering public trust and confidence in government” Sir Bola revealed.
Dr. Abdullahi Yahuza Zainawa, from the Department of Political Science, Bayero University, Kano, presented a paper on the history of Nigeria’s regional politics, military coups, countercoups, and the Biafra Civil war, identifying them as factors contributing to national unity challenges.
He asserted that Nigeria as a nation is bedeviled by wide-ranging of existential challenges of National Unity, Cohesion and Integration whose effects and consequences poses serious danger to its survival as a corporate, united and indivisible country.
Dr. Zainawa urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of unity and togetherness to maintain and improve the centripetal bond that keeps the country together.
Another significant aspect of the meeting included a paper presentation on “Enhancing Women’s Participation in Nation Building and Socio Cohesion of the Nigeria Polity” by Dr. Maryam Hassan, represented by Hajiya Khadija Aliyu from the League for Societal Protection Against Drugs Abuse (LESPADA), along with participant contributions and a group photograph.
