The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the fastest growing airline in West Africa, Air Peace Airline, Barrister Allen Ifechukwu Onyema on Friday urged Nigerians to promote peace and unity and not give room for ethnicity which has been the order of the day in the country.
Barrister Allen stated this while delivering the lecture titled “NIGERIA AND THE RISE AND RISE OF ETHNIC NATIONALISM” during the Second Stanza of the 2019 Alumni Lecture at the University of Ibadan Alumni multipurpose hall, Oyo State.
The Second Stanza of the 2019 Alumni lecture was under the distinguished chairmanship of the Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka who led other management team of the noble institution and Alumni to the lecture which was delivered amidst students of the University and members of the Kuti boys hostel where Barrister Allen stayed while on campus as they came to celebrate their hero.
Noting that the topic is of utmost importance considering the high rate of discrimination among the Ethnic groups in Nigeria, Barrister Allen said “All I care for is a good governance and the promotion of Peace and Unity in a multicultural set up"
"We can';t grow as a nation if we continue to discriminate among ourselves. We must stop the use of hate speech and promote our religion which does not condone it", Allen stated.
The Convener of Peace in a bid to promote one Nigeria made it known that he has staffs from different ethnic groups in Nigeria working in his organizations.He however made it known that there are 378 ethnic groups in Nigeria and urged that people from different ethnic groups to trust one another. “lack of trust is what is diminishing the nation today; do not discriminate! Discriminatory tendencies should have no place in your hearts, seek for peace at all times".
He advised the youths and students across the country that they should not allow anyone use them as a tool to destabilize the nation. “Anyone that wants to use you for violence wants to bring you down and make you less of a human.
Barrister Onyema, a promoter of peace urge Nigerians to rise up and build a new Nigeria that will not promote ethnicity. He says "I want a situation whereby Nigerians will fight for each other and not against each other, we are one Nation ".
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. A.I. Olayinka, stated that the lecture was a great one as it addressed the issue of tribalism in the country. He therefore encouraged Nigerians to embrace love and promote peace in the country.
It is worthy of note that the Vice Chancellor, who is also the distinguished Chairman of the Lecture presented an award to Barrister Allen as the most distinguished Alumnus in recognition for his contribution in fostering peace in the country and humanity at large.
In attendance to the Second Stanza of the 2019 Alumni Lecture was the Vice Chancellor University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka; Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof. A.B. Ekanola; Deputy Vice Chancellor Admin, Prof. K.O. Adebowale; Deputy Speaker, House of Assembly Anambra state, Hon. Pascal Agbodike; Emeritus President UIAA, Dr. Kemi Emina; President UIAA worldwide, Prof. Elsie Adewoye; Chairperson lecture planning committee, Dr. Flora Olaifa; the secretary of the lecture planning committee, Mr. Bola Kayode; policy makers, captains of Industries, Head of Organizations, CEOs, stakeholders, the academia, UI Alumni Association members, students amongst others.