Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State (2nd right), with Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Tonye Oniyide (right), Miss Nigeria 2015, Miss Pamela Lessi Vigboro (middle), Mr and Mrs Vigboro (parents of Miss Nigeria 2015), during a courtesy call in Government House, Port Harcourt, recently.
Activists have called on
the Federal Government to abolish the Federal Character principles and allow the society to thrive on the basis of excellence.
The activists who spoke to The Tide on the sideline of the just concluded World Social Justice Day in Port Harcourt said that the content of the character of a leader should be promoted above tribal sentiment.
Speaking with The Tide, Mr Pat Obiene stressed the need for government at all levels to fight against poverty and material inequality, describing them as great enemies of societal peace and stability.
Mr Obiene also urged the government to eradicate class differences in the society, through the promotion of programmes that would emancipate the people economically.
On his part, Mr Christian Lekie, a social crusader condemned hate speeches by politicians as they breed social injustice. “Class inequality is an imbalance that needs correction.
“Class greed is against the principle of democracy.
The popular perception is that in Nigeria there is no internal democracy but corruption and hatred” he said.
Mr Lekie said that the sooner the ruling class realised this, the better would be the society.
He said that the World Social Justice Day was set aside by the United Nations in 2001 as part of the struggle against poverty and material inequality in the society and to also promote freedom and human dignity.
According to him, Nigeria which is a member of the global community has been celebrating it since inception.