A humanist and an inter-religious advocate Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has advised Nigerians to exhibit the spirit of brotherhood and religious tolerance with fear of God.
Chief Iwuanyanwu gave the advice while addressing the National Leadership of Inter-Faith Youth Council of Nigeria (IFYCN) on the occasion of the presentation of the 2022 Inter-Faith Youth Council of Nigeria Outstanding Peace Award as an Icon of National and Societal Development to him in his office in Owerri, Imo State capital.
Chief Iwuanyanwu advised the leadership of the country to eschew religious bitterness, acrimony and hate in the exhibition of their activities to the people. He noted that the founding fathers of the country built the foundation of Nigeria on love, peace, harmony and tolerance which led to the rapid development of the nation when the colonial masters left the country.
Chief Iwuanyanwu enjoined the youths to emulate the spirit of the founding fathers of Nigeria which centered on peaceful co-existence, religious tolerance and love pointing out that no nation or society develops in an atmosphere of suspicion and intolerance He recalled a verse of the old National Anthem which states that though tongue and tribe may differ, in brotherhood we stand and maintained that that was the spirit of a nation that wanted to be united. .
He stated that in the old regional system of North, East, West and later Mid West of Nigeria, anybody from any of the regions could contest election any where he domiciled. He observed that the First Mayor of Enugu in those days was a Northerner while Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe contested election in the Western part of the country and won.
He said all these happened as a result of the spirit of unity and nationality which was prevalent then.
The Chairman of the Ohanaeze Elders Council appealed to the leadership and members of the Inter-Faith Youth Council of Nigeria (IFYCN) to imbibe the culture of spreading the gospel of love, religious tolerance and unity pointing out that they should stop allowing themselves to be used to cause mayhem in the land.
Chief Iwuanyanwu condemned the increasing rate of killing, kidnapping, and unrest in the country pointing out that the perpetrators of these evils are youths who could be Presidents, Governors, Legislators and leaders in future.
Chief Iwuanyanwu blamed the increasing ate of criminal activities in the country to lack of proper orientation of the youths and lack of job opportunities as a result of closure of industries and factories in the country. He stated that if the industries were operational, most of the youths would l be gainfully employed and crime rate would reduce.
Chief Iwuanyanwu appealed to the governments both Federal and States to redirect their budgets and focus more on industrialisation and agricultural revolution.
He thanked the Inter – Faith Youth Council for the honour bestowed on him.
Presenting the 2022 Inter-Faith Youth Council of Nigeria Award to Chief Iwuanyanwu, the President of the Association, Ambassador Tunde Adams said the award was in recognition of Chief Iwuanyanwu’s unalloyed commitment and unequal contribution to peace and human development as an outstanding distinguished personality in Nigeria.
Mr Tunde Adams described Chief Iwuanyanwu as a man of peace and excellence, an indisputable Nigerian flag Weaver, a quintessence of good leadership who has given so much to the empowerment of the youths in Nigeria and beyond. He said that he is a man whose didactic personality is pedestal upon which the vision of Nigeria as a nation can be realized
The IFYCN President said that at a time when Nigerian youth are facing deprivation and relegation from national scheme of affairs, Chief Iwuanyanwu has continued to exhibit youth friendly disposition, humane care to all who come to him as well as continuedto display unmatched nationalistic leadership style that has given the youth a renewed hope as leaders of tomorrow.
Mr Tinde Adams maintained that Chief Iwuanyanwu symbolizes the apt saying of late Sardauna of Sokoto Ahmadu Bello of the blessed memory in which he said that “if men of wisdom will refuse to write justice with black ink on white paper, ignorant men will lead and wrath injustice and anarchy in the land”.
He said that the role of the youth in nation building is indeed very critical as the old saying goes “you build the youth, you built the nation, you ignore the youth you destroy the n nation”.
Mr Tunde Adams pointed the Chief Iwuanuanwu has achieved very greatly in nation building, community development, educational development, quality assurance as well as mentorship He said that Chief Iwuanyanwu’s greatest achievements anchor on human capital development which evidently manifested on the people who have successfully achieved greatness through his mentorship.
