By TAYE OBATERU

President Goodluck onathan yesterday threw darts at those fanning the embers of sectionalism in the country, warning that progress will leave them behind.

In a message to the 25th convocation of the University of Jos, the president, who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Chief Ezenwo Wike, said in a world where nations were making progress by turning their diversity to strength, those moving against this tide would be left behind.

According to him, “the nations that prosper are those that embrace their diversity and turn it into a source of strength. Societies are doomed when the people cling to the divisive superstition that their humanity is defined solely by the tight circle of those who share their world view.
”While we hack at each other and waste precious energy seeking revenge for perceived wrongs, the rest of the world keeps progressing. It is my belief that the forces of positive change are at work even here in this country and we can no more resist it than resist the gift of life itself.

”The progress of this nation will not yield to obsolete and destructive dogmas. Progress will leave behind those who cling to practices, which are already dying; practices that divide and set us back as a united people.”

Jonathan commended University of Jos for her consistency in producing graduates annually despite the security challenges of the environment and reaffirmed the commitment of the administration to improving the condition of universities in the country.

He said the on going needs assessment of universities being undertaken by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund would be followed by an upgrade of infrastructure, provision of modern teaching aids, improved facilities for students and decent office accommodation for staff.

He appealed to Nigerians to bear with temporary pains that might come with some of the administration’s policies in the bid to transform the country, noting, “any action taken by government is targeted at promoting the greatest happiness of the greatest number of Nigerians.”

Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Hayward Mafuyai, said the institution has been recording landmarks in different areas  despite obvious challenges with academics and students winning local and international laurels in various areas.

He disclosed that a total of 10,658 students made up of 55 doctoral, 707 Masters, 5,652 undergraduates, 4,039 diplomas and 205 post graduate diplomas graduated on the occasion. Our correspondent reports that security was tight around the university and at the venue of the convocation to avoid any ugly incident.