Nigeria more divided ever than before — Okunnu

President of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Dr. Olufemi Okunnu (SAN), has scored the Federal Government low in confidence building and mutual trust among the federating states in the country.

The former Commissioner for Works and Housing under the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon spoke on Thursday at a press conference preceding the 9th triennial conference of the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria.

He submitted that the Federal Government should be concerned in dousing ethno-religious crisis in the country, towards inspiring peaceful coexistence between Christians and Moslems, the two dominant faith in the country.

He said: “The Federal, State and Local governments are not doing enough to bring people of different faith together, especially Christians and Muslims.

“Governments are not doing enough about education. I have strong belief that governments should positively intervene in education.

“Governments have failed Nigerians. The Muslim and Christian child should be educated. We need more Primary and Secondary schools. Today, Nigeria is short of justice. We are short of equality.

“We are far from been citizens of one country. Justice is also slow. Some people buy justice while other do not get it. People are not been treated equitably. There is no coexistence. Nigerians are not at peace with one another. The problem in the oil producing country has subsided ”

He equally identified serious commitment of fund to education as a concrete steps towards addressing the scary security situation facing the country.

“We have Boko Haram which is anti-Islam. Ethnicity has also eaten deep in us. We are divided in Nigeria. The Christian and Muslim relationship has been destroyed. We should enjoy peace together as Muslims and Christians.

“We are now experiencing kidnapping. All over the country there are herdsmen who should be at school. Their children should be at school.

“Each state where herdsmen are found should establish their own areas where they can be trained in school. So we have many problems. Cultism also is there. That is why I said Nigeria is not at peace with itself.”