By Comfort Olayinka
In a landmark world press conference held today, Rt. Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, PhD., Chairman of the Central Planning Committee for the “One Nigeria Project,” unveiled a bold initiative aimed at uniting Nigeria in the face of its ongoing challenges. Organized by the National Association of Former Local Government Council Chairmen in Nigeria (NALGON Emeritus), the project is set to address critical issues of security, peace, and unity in the nation.
At the heart of the initiative is a call for all Nigerians—regardless of ethnic or political affiliations—to come together to confront divisive politics and foster national reconciliation. Highlighting the importance of local government administration in strengthening democracy, Rt. Hon. Jaji emphasized the need for collective efforts to build a prosperous, peaceful, and unified nation.
The “One Nigeria Project” aims to initiate a comprehensive dialogue among stakeholders, encouraging support for government policies that will ensure lasting reforms. This ambitious project also aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for economic stability and local government autonomy.
As part of the initiative, NALGON Emeritus is launching a sensitization campaign across the country, culminating in the official project launch in Abuja. The project’s leaders are calling on citizens, political figures, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to join in this vital cause.
With the future of Nigeria at a crossroads, the “One Nigeria Project” represents a fresh effort to rally the nation together and pave the way for a brighter, united future.
“NALGON Emeritus has come together after recognizing the crucial importance of unity at this critical time. National interest has increasingly been undermined by divisive politics, with unity, which should be our guiding principle, often overshadowed by sentiments. This division poses a serious threat to the security, peace, and stability of our nation.”
“Local government administration has a rich history, from the pre-colonial era to the colonial period and up to independence. Over the years, reforms have shaped the structure of local governance, which now includes 774 local governments and 8,809 councilors representing legislative wards nationwide. Local governments were designed to bring government closer to the people, addressing essential issues and ensuring effective governance.”
“NALGON sees itself as a key player in Nigeria’s democracy, understanding the needs of the people at the grassroots level. We have come together to contribute our voices and strength to becoming an objective force for hope, unity, and reconciliation—without compromise.”
“After careful reflection on the challenges confronting us, we believe it is imperative to collaborate with other stakeholders to address the pressing issues of security, peace, unity, and stability. These elements are fundamental to national growth, prosperity, and justice at all levels. The One Nigeria Project represents our collective vision for a powerful, united, and progressive nation.”
“As responsible citizens, we must support government policies that lead to positive reforms and societal progress. NALGON Emeritus is committed to backing such policies at all times, for no country can grow without peace and unity. Nigeria is a nation blessed with over 400 ethnic groups, diverse languages, abundant natural resources, and a youthful population. Reflecting on the horrors of the 1967 civil war and the current security challenges, it is clear that Nigeria must unite to overcome its difficulties.”
“While our leaders and elites have often struggled to address insecurity, divisions, and socioeconomic problems, their efforts have not always yielded success. NALGON, however, initiated a consensus-building process among the elites and leaders, fostering common understanding through the One Nigeria Conference. This initiative complements the current administration’s efforts to promote unity, enhance security, and strengthen democratic institutions.”
“We also acknowledge the strides of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in addressing critical issues such as insecurity and the economic crisis. His reforms to improve economic stability and security are commendable. We are confident that these efforts will help transition Nigeria from recession to prosperity. Additionally, as grassroots politicians, we commend the President’s commitment to local government autonomy, which demonstrates his political will to strengthen democracy and create a more inclusive governance system.”
“At this juncture, I call on all stakeholders to support the One Nigeria Project, bringing people together to work towards achieving our common objectives. We are particularly focused on addressing the ongoing debates over the proposed tax reforms, which have sparked divisions. Thanks to the intervention of NALGON Emeritus,there is now a more constructive dialogue. We urge both the executive and legislative arms of government to approach these reforms with the nation’s best interests in mind to avoid further disunity.”
“We also commend the support of our Board of Trustees, led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, for their invaluable contribution to the One Nigeria Project. We recognize the efforts of the National Security Advisor, Nuhu Ribadu, and all security agencies for their role in maintaining peace and protecting lives across Nigeria.”
“Equally, we call on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other support groups to join us in supporting the One Nigeria Project, which embodies the vision of our founding fathers.”
‘Ladies and gentlemen of the press, we are proud to announce that the journey toward the One Nigeria Project has begun, and there is no turning back.’
