Elder statesman and lawyer, Bashir Dalhatu, the Wazirin Dutse, has called on Nigerians to put national identity above regional or ethnic affiliations, declaring that the country’s strength lies in unity and mutual respect.
Speaking during ARISE News, AREWA Consultative Forum meeting in Lagos on Monday, Dalhatu emphasised the need to promote oneness and harmony across regions. He said,
“We are not Northerners; we are Nigerians first. That is how we want to be identified… We must continue to emphasise the importance of unity in Nigeria.”
Dalhatu, who also serves as Chairman of the ILO Consultative Forum, said the visit was part of activities to mark the forum’s forthcoming 25th anniversary. “We are essentially very happy to be here this afternoon, to say hello, well done, and to also tell you that the ILO Consultative Forum is 25 years old,” he stated.
He explained that the ILO Consultative Forum, established in 2000 by northern governors, emirs, and community leaders, is a socio-cultural and political non-partisan organisation dedicated to promoting the economic and social development of the north within the framework of a united Nigeria.
“While we are supposed to be a sectional group, we do so so that this country can remain one individual, can continue to be united, cohesive, and can together move each and every one of us, whether we are north or south, or Yoruba or Hausa, forward,” he said.
Dalhatu revealed that the 25th anniversary celebration, scheduled for November 20 to 22 in Kaduna, would bring together major socio-cultural organisations from across the country, including Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and PANDEF.
“We have invited the Afenefere, the Ndigbo, the Pandev, all the socio-cultural organizations to come to Kaduna and share those moments, so that also opportunities could be given to all of us to discuss Nigeria’s way forward,” he added.
He expressed hope that the event would foster dialogue and understanding among Nigeria’s diverse groups, noting, “The best way forward is unity and cooperation and respect mutually. We want to create a Nigeria for those three days, so that we are not seen as ACF. That gathering is going to be a Nigerian gathering.”
Dalhatu said the meeting would help change divisive narratives and promote national cohesion. “We are also hoping to bridge that gap that people say north, north, north, as if north doesn’t belong to Nigeria. We want the narrative to change. Nigeria, Nigeria, Nigeria,” he stressed.
He added that the forthcoming forum would provide an opportunity to learn from other regional groups and chart a common path toward national progress. “We are sincerely hoping that what we are going to do in Kaduna is going to begin to show or to provide a beginning of another narrative, of de-emphasizing sectional commitment to embracement of national cohesion,” Dalhatu said.
He expressed appreciation to the ARISE News team for their professionalism and dedication to national development, saying, “This organisation is so dear to us. And we cannot but pay tribute to you. And thank you very much for what you have been doing for this country.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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