Nigeria needs shared identity, structured national conference — Oborevwori

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has called for sustained investment in initiatives that promote national consciousness, unity and inclusive governance, proposing a periodic national conference as a practical pathway to strengthening cohesion across the country.

Speaking at the Annual Lecture Series of the Yoruba Tennis Club in Onikan, Lagos, Oborevwori, in a lecture titled “Inclusive Governance and National Unity: Lessons from Delta State for a More United Nigeria,” said Nigeria must deliberately cultivate a shared national identity through programmes that foster integration, patriotic values and mutual respect among citizens.

He advocated the revitalisation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme to make it more effective in promoting national integration, alongside the introduction of a national curriculum that teaches shared history, values and symbols capable of inspiring pride in the country.

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According to him, nation-building cannot be left to chance but requires intentional and sustained actions by government and other stakeholders.

Oborevwori also underscored the role of the media in shaping national values, saying mainstream and digital platforms should be engaged to project Nigeria positively and strengthen citizens’ sense of belonging.

He noted that foreign media and entertainment content have significantly influenced lifestyles and perceptions in many countries, stressing the need for Nigeria to develop content that celebrates its diverse cultures and common identity.

The governor warned against materials that ridicule ethnic nationalities, urging the production of educative and entertaining content that promotes cooperation, peaceful coexistence and understanding among Nigerians.

He said the country’s vast pool of talent in arts and entertainment should be harnessed for value reorientation, adding that persuasive and engaging messaging would be more effective than propaganda-driven campaigns.

On governance reforms, Oborevwori proposed the institutionalisation of a periodic national conference involving a broad range of stakeholders, including the federal and state governments, traditional rulers, private sector leaders, civil society groups, youth and women representatives, as well as marginalised communities.

He said such a forum should move beyond mere discussions to systematic reviews of national priorities, inclusiveness, regional development and equitable resource distribution.

The governor suggested that the conference should focus on measurable objectives such as assessment of inclusiveness in governance, regional development audits, policy feedback mechanisms, conflict prevention and trust-building.

To ensure implementation, he recommended a decennial national conference to be held every ten years, supported by an independent, non-partisan secretariat to monitor resolutions and publish annual progress reports.

He further proposed legislative backing for conference outcomes so that recommendations could translate into executive and legislative action.

Oborevwori said institutionalising such dialogue would help Nigeria shift from reactive governance to proactive nation-building anchored on fairness, justice, shared prosperity and mutual respect.

He urged Nigerians to rise above ethnic, religious and cultural divisions and embrace the values that unite the country.

Earlier, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the club’s centenary as a milestone in Nigeria’s civic history, commending its role in shaping national discourse and leadership culture.

Similarly, the chairman of the club, Olawumi Gasper, described the anniversary as reflective and forward-looking, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to convening conversations on governance and national development.

Founded in 1926, the Yoruba Tennis Club has long served as a forum for elite policy dialogue, and Wednesday’s lecture reinforced its legacy as a platform where ideas about Nigeria’s political future are contested and refined.