The Abia State branch of the Christian Association of Nigeria has called on the National Conference to establish a mechanism to check ethnocentrism in the country.
The Chairman of the association, Bishop Godwin Okafor, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday that ethnic bias which resulted in unfair treatment of citizens based on their ethnic group was the bane of the country’s development.
He said for the country to develop and meet the expectations of its people, the anti-social behaviour of discrimination and its attendant effects must be stopped.
Okafor, who is the Bishop of the Glorious Life Gospel Center, Aba, said that Nigeria would move forward when such issues were addressed.
He said, “It is rather unfortunate that one cannot operate freely in a place outside your state of origin simply because you are not an indigene of that place.
“Our representatives at the National Conference should look critically into the issue of discrimination based on ethnic origin if they want development.
“When this is done, the issue of corruption will be handled.”
Okafor regretted the menace and assault of Boko Haram on Nigerians, saying that it was disheartening that it had cost the country lots of lives.
He called on the Northern Elders’ Forum to collaborate with traditional rulers to find a lasting solution to the activities of the insurgents.
He said, “The Boko Haram members are Nigerians and some traditional rulers know where these youths come from.
“They come from different towns and villages and the leaders of those towns and villages know them. They should expose them to stem the loss of innocent lives and property.
“Boko Haram is not a problem that Nigeria cannot take care of, but we need collaboration and one mind and purpose to get rid of the menace.”
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