Saraki, Ambode, NHRC boss to speak at Unity Schools national dialogue

LAGOS — Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State and Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu will be leading other alumni of Nigerian Unity Schools to examine the roles of their alma maters in nation building, at a one-day national dialogue in Lagos on July 22.

The 104 Unity Schools include all the Federal Government Colleges, Federal Government Girls Colleges, Kings College, Lagos and Queens College, Lagos.

Organised by the Federal Government College Kano Old Students Association (Lagos State branch), the dialogue will, among other things, examine how successful the schools have served as a platform to mould future leaders that can advance the cause of unity, peace and progress in the country in line with the vision of the founding fathers.

According to a statement by Dr. Olaseinde Eletu, Chairman, Organising Committee of the event, Prof. Odinkalu will be the keynote speaker, while Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will be special guests of honour at the event which is being organised by FGC Kano Old Students Association in conjunction with the National Secretariat of the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA).

The event with the theme: “Role of Unity Schools in Nation Building” holds at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos by 10am. on Wednesday, July 22, 2015.

“At this juncture in our national life, it is imperative that we the products of the Unity Schools examine the role of our alma maters in nation building, particularly in addressing the need for national cohesion and unity in such a culturally and religiously heterogenous country.” Eletu said, adding that “questions to be raised at the dialogue include: What has happened to the vision of the founding fathers of the Unity Schools? Do the Unity Schools still bear relevance in today’s Nigeria? What should be the role of the products of the Unity Schools in nation building?”

“There will also be a distinguished cast of Unity Schools’ alumni who will be panelists at the dialogue”, he added.