Unity in Diversity: Speaker Abbas Calls for Peaceful Coexistence in Nigeria

 Emmanuel lkpeama 

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has emphasized the importance of unity in diversity, urging Nigerians to put aside their differences and live in peace.

Represented by Mr. Frederick Agbedi, Speaker Abbas made the call at a thanksgiving ceremony for Hon. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, representing Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency 2 on Saturday 20, September 2025 at the Redeem Christian Church of God, Cornerstone Parish (My Father House) Okota, Lagos.

Abbas believes Nigeria’s diversity is a strategic advantage that can propel the country towards a more unified and prosperous future, while encouraging Nigerians to reject bigotry and embrace tolerance, empathy, and unity, citing the country’s vast diversity in ethnicity, language, and religion as a remarkable asset.

“We use diversity to strengthen development and progress,” Speaker Abbas said. “This is the way that can foster unity, so that we will be less of language, less of religion, but more attracted to the benefits that an individual who was born and bred in your community will bring better development.”he said.

The Speaker went further to note that the legislative agenda of the 10th House was strategically designed to address the challenges slowing down the country’s unity and journey towards a “more perfect union.”, noting that Nigeria’s diversity can propel innovative solutions to the economic challenges facing the country.

He commended Hon Okey Joe Onuakulusi for doing a lot for his interms of constituency project in his two years in federal house of representatives which include : Health, Education, Road repairs and construction, Boreholes, Transformers, Grassroots sports, Empowerment, Human capital development, Agriculture and Bill’s.

He described Mr. Onuakalisi who Represents Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency 2 as a true testament of a united Nigeria not minding  tribe or tongue.

” I want to congratulate my colleague,Hon Okey Joe Onuakulusi and his constituent for doing well as a representative of Oshodi-Isolo 2. I also want to assure his constituency that they have a capable hands and I am proud of him and also proud of Oshodi-Isolo 2 for mandating a representative like Okey Joe to represent them at the federal house of representatives”

I urge the people to ensure that they should vote him enmass come 2027,if the need arise for him to contest again because he is a strong advocate and one who stands for the people.

“Nigeria’s pluralism, characterised by its vast diversity in ethnicity, language and religion, offers a remarkable asset to the nation. Our cultural diversity can significantly enhance global diplomatic and economic relationships, seeing Hon Okey Joe alone representing Oshodi-Isolo 2 is a big plus knowing fully well that he is from Anambra State,it shows that Nigeria would be peaceful if we stop tribalism.”he submitted.

Lending his voice,The Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Power, Mr.Joshua Gana has appealed to Nigerians to support the government in the fight against insecurity.

Mr. Gana alleged that some of the criminals are known faces in the communities, hence the need to collaborate with the government to nib insecurity in the bud

“Most of these people that are causing these problems are in our community, the community people know them but are afraid to bring their names and their family to the security agencies so they could be apprehended because of some are benefiting from this criminals.”

Speaking on the Annual thanksgiving of Hon Onuakalusi,Gana described Hon Okey Joe as a man with great vision and one who is called by God to show a different face of what politics should be in Nigeria.

Speaking with newsmen,the celebrant,Hon Okey Joe Onuakulusi said that the essence of the thanksgiving was to show gratitude to God almighty for the privilege and opportunity to serve the people at the federal house of representatives.

“I am a product of grace and I’m a product of not qualifying for any position but God has decided to honor us by choosing me among many to represent Oshodi-Isolo federal constituency 2 at the federal house representative in Abuja”.

“So I have no option but to return all the glory to God who has made it possible. This is a journey that we started in 2010 as this is my fourth time of contesting for election, and at the fourth time God granted it”.

” I have no other thing to fall back on but on God that made it possible because I know all things belong to God and we have come here to thank God, express our heart and gratitude for this opportunity to serve our people”.he said.

Hon Onuakulusi went further to use the occasion to highlight some of the achievements recorded under his two years in office and what he intends to do in the remaining years in office.

” You can see we have attracted some jobs here, we have facilitated some trainings and established some people in our constituency”.

“We have even sent people to go to China, I have over 20 people that were sent to China and Taiwan, for three-week training, gave free Jamb form, build 6 block classroom in Okeafa and Ishaga, donated streetlights, transformers to various community,train and empower.youths and women in skill acquisition,120 women empowered with sewing machines and industrial grinding machines, distribution of desk,chairs and writing materials, and free medical care outreach to mention but few ”

“It gives me joy that when I look back I said, we have done our bit, therefore I decided to call my people of Oshodi-Isolo to come so that we can join hands to rejoice and thank God for his faithfulness, who has kept us alive”.

“This is two years and two months since we were sworn in as a lawmaker,that’s why I want to say God I thank you and I cannot do it without saying the heart of gratitude”. “So I find it an honor and privilege to see men of great minds joining me to say thank you ”

He noted that no man can succeed without being disciplined and been knowledgeable, stating that leadership is about learning,listening and taking decisions

“Before you aspire to any position please try to read what the people are meant to do, i have privilege or study biography of legislators all over the world so when i got into a house it wasn’t a new thing for me because i read it”.he submitted

Responding to the roles of the legislator,Hon Okey Joe said”“We are not meant to execute job but we facilitate the job in our various constituencies”. “I wll give you a practical example like Ago-Palace road when refuse was on that road and people started calling me that i should clear it, i told them that it’s not my job so what i did then, i wrote to Lagos State Waste Management Board and demanded that they should do their job and today the heap of refuse has been cleared ”

“The same thing I did on some of the roads in our constituency that are bad, I wrote a letter to the Lagos State Ministry of Works and demanded that they should attend to it because it is the reason why we pay tax, in fact they have been responding because before now,if you are going through Ago-Palace way, you will see heaps of refuse on the road side but after that letter the refuse was cleared and our roads are being attended to”

As Lawmaker we have moved so many bills and motions including the Bill that 37 LCDA be converted to local government,Iwas the person that initiated it”.We work irrespective of party differences, we work in irrespective of tribe and tongue”. “we believe that the best thing is to make Nigeria better for you and me because we all go to the same market that do not differentiate or discriminate rather we buy things from the Yoruba, Hausa or Igbo man”

Hon Walter Ukaga, Constituency Administrator and Special Assistant to Onuakalusi, said his principal’s empowerment initiatives stemmed from his deep commitment to alleviating poverty and uplifting his constituents in Oshodi-Isolo federal constituency II.

He noted that since Hon Okey Joe assumption in office as Lawmaker representing Oshodi-Isolo 2 at the federal house of representatives,he has focused on youth/women empowerment, education, and health .

According to him,so many lives and families have benefited through various empowerment program organized by Hon Okey Joe as it has improve livelihoods by providing tools for income generation, reducing unemployment and fostering community resilience.

The Co Chairman of the thanksgiving celebration, Chief Godwin Ekezie said that the essence of the thanksgiving celebration was to express gratitude to God almighty and also highlight some of the achievements and program recorded by Hon Okey Joe as a lawmaker.

He appealed to the people of Oshodi-Isolo 2 federal constituency to always pray and support Hon Okey Joe so that more developmental projects can be attracted to the constituency.

Speaking with investigator news,Mrs Uchenna Ofomata, the Program Director for Hon Okey-Joe Foundation and Convener of Voices of Hope expressed profound moment of gratitude to God for the journey thus far and appreciating the constituents in joining to reflect on the divine guidance and shared progress.

She opined that the thanksgiving is worth celebrating following Hon. Okey-Joe’s remarkable achievements, which exemplify selfless leadership, human capital development, infrastructural development, community empowerment, and a steadfast commitment to equity.

” As the founder of the Hon. Okey Joe Foundation, he has spearheaded transformative initiatives that uplift the vulnerable, particularly women and youth in the constituency.”

“A standout effort includes the foundation’s women and youth empowerment program, which equips participants with practical vocational skills in areas like catering, fashion design, and crafts—laying the groundwork for sustainable entrepreneurship and economic independence.”she stated.

The Special Adviser on Media and Communication to Hon Okey Joe Onuakulusi,Mazi Chuks Nwosu reflects on the ‘Heart of Gratitude Thanksgiving’ event”The theme captured the essence of gratitude, highlighting Hon. Okey-Joe’s appreciation for trust and support as constituents came together,shared in the joy, and expressed gratitude, strengthening the bond between Hon. Okey-Joe and his people.

According to him,Hon Onuakulusi has touched and impacted lives such as human capacity development through foreign partnerships and training opportunities,infrastructural development improving residents’ quality of life,community empowerment initiatives, such as vocational skills training and support for women and youth and dedication to equity and inclusivity, noting that Hon. Okey-Joe has fostered a sense of community and social responsibility, while inspiring others to follow his example.

On his part, Bishop Remigus Agu, Labour Party Chairman for Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area commended the ’lawmaker’s achievements, describing him as a selfless, urbane and detribalised leader, who cares for all his constituents irrespective of party affiliation and tribe.

While the Eze Idi-igbo of Lagos, Igbo 1, Dr. Christian Nwachukwu thanked Mr.Onuakalisi for the giant strides witnessed in Oshodi-Isolo constituency, called for  peace among the people

Earlier, the guest minister for the thanksgiving celebration, Bishop Humphrey Erumaka of Word Base Assembly Lagos,who took his text from the book of 2 Corinthians chapter 7:8-12 said that thanksgiving is an evidence of gratitude by someone who does not have entitlement mentality.

He said that most people are not thankful because they believe that whatever they have, they deserve it,but when they come to a point that everything they have is by the grace of God,it does not give room for pride as most people have forgotten where God picked them from.

Bishop Erumaka described the celebrant as an astute politician,a destabilized Nigeria who has also proven that it is not a matter of tribe but a matter of purpose and focus, while acknowledging and commending him for thanking God especially in the area of impacting and empowering lives”evidently he has every reason to thank God.The ungrateful don’t go far as we see in the scripture where 10 lepers were healed and only one return.

Investigator news gathered that the thanksgiving ceremony service attracted dignitaries from far and near including politicians, political members, party leaders, friends, families, religious leaders, constituents and fellow members of house of federal representatives including Hon. Tajudeen Abass Ph.D Speaker, Federal Republic of Nigeria who was represented by Hon. Agbedi Yeitiemone Fredrick MHR

Highlights of the thanksgiving was the cutting of a cake adorned in Nigerian color by the HOJ Foundation, prayers for Hon Onuakulusi by all the Gospel ministers present,felicitation by dignitaries, royal fathers, cultural dance from different ethnic groups and the taking of group photographs