The document discusses the 50th anniversary of Federal Government College (FGC) Jos, highlighting its role in promoting unity in diversity among Nigerian youth through education. It outlines the challenges and prospects of unity schools in fostering integration and nation-building, emphasizing the importance of alumni networks. Recommendations include creating a cultural diplomatic corps to further the principles of unity and renewing commitments to the pan-Nigerian charter.

1. UNITY IN DIVERSITY:
Ambassadors of the Rainbow Nation
BY
Dr Tanko Ahmed fwc
MD, AANDEC Consult Limited, Abuja
GUEST SPEAKER
At the 50th Anniversary/Golden Jubilee,
Federal Government College, Jos - 10am Saturday 11 Nov 2023

2. Golden Jubilee Celebrations
Federal Government College, Jos
Plateau State - NIGERIA
50TH ANNIVERSARY LECTURE
Theme:
The Role of Unity Schools in Fostering
Unity in Diversity in Nigeria

4. INTRODUCTION
‘... ambassadors of the rainbow nation …’

5. Background
• Golden Jubilees mark
ultimate turning points in
whatever is at stake.
• We are gathered here today to
celebrate the 50th Golden
Jubilee of FGC, Jos.
A production line for the Ideal
Nigerians who are the
Ambassadors of Nation-
Building.

6. A Short Story of FGC, Jos
• Nigeria suffered a nasty tumble
at the initial stages of nation-
building, with a traumatic 3-
year Civil War from 1967-70.
• Gen Gowon was on a post-war
nationwide Unity Tour when he
visited the FGC Sokoto.
Exactly what he was praying for,
were young Nigerians from all
parts of the country, living and
learning together.
• Elated, the Gen raised both
hands to the sky and praised
GOD
• He described it as momentous
and life changing.
• He then decreed for the
establishment of FGCs in each
of the then 12 States of Nigeria,
among which was the FGC, Jos
by 1973.
Happy
50th Golden Jubulee
FGC, Jos

7. The Jubilee Theme
• A Facebook Public Figure, Stacey Ishaku Abbo, a member
of the Group ‘FGCs of Nigeria’ explains the principle
behind the establishment of FGCs, exactly ten years ago.
• The FGCs were conceived as unifying institutions
bringing together young Nigerians in an environment of
academic and developmental excellence, devoid of ethnic,
religious, or social stratification.
With the collective motto of ‘Pro Unitate’ or ‘For Unity’, the
theme of ‘Unity in Diversity’ is well-captured

8. The Pan-Nigeria Charter
• Unity in Diversity is the
rallying call for federated
groups of any format.
• Tafawa Balewa cited it in
Nigeria’s Independence
Acceptance Speech.
And thereafter at many
instances across time and
space in the world
• Tutu and Mandela used it
to rally South Africans into
a Rainbow Nation.
• This nation-building feeds
the Pan-Nigerian trend
seen in the Federal Govt
Colleges.
Making the products of
FGCs the Ambassadors of
the Rainbow Nation

9. Discourse Scope
•To explain the Key
Terms of Unity in
Diversity, Unity Schools,
nation-building, and
Rainbow Nation.
•Discuss the Role of
Unity Schools in
Fostering Unity in
Diversity in Nigeria.
•Highlight challenges
and prospects for
Federal Government
Colleges.
•Conclusion and
Recommendations,
including Strategies for
Implementation.

10. KEY TERMS
*Unity in Diversity, *Unity Schools, *Nation-Building,
*Rainbow Nation,

11. Unity in Diversity
• Unity in diversity is a
conceptual formula for
showing unity without
uniformity along with
diversity without
fragmentation.
• It is used to explain the
harmonious unison of a
people coming from
different religions, cultures
or/and environment.

12. Unity Schools
• Designed to promote
harmony among
individuals from various
ethnic and socioeconomic
backgrounds.
• By introducing Nigerians
from various regions of the
nation to one another and
to other locations, you may
perform nation-building.

13. Nation-Building
Nation-building process
involves people with diverse
origins, histories, languages,
cultures and religions coming
together within the boundaries
of a sovereign state.
It is a significant undertaking
by governments and the
people to develop political,
economic, and social
institutions.
Nation-Building is
not a spectator
sport. It takes
everyone of us to
get involved to get
engaged and to get
the work done.
- Bob Casye Jr.

14. Rainbow Nation
• Refers to the unity of multi-
culturalism and the coming-
together of people of
different background, in a
country of cultural diversity.
• The term was coined by
Bishop Tutu to describe the
nature and significance of
Unity in Diversity to make
people come together in
nation-building.

15. ROLE OF UNITY SCHOOLS
IN FOSTERING UNITY IN DIVERSITY
IN NIGERIA

16. Objective of Unity Schools in Nigeria
• There are 104 FGCs or
Unity Schools across
Nigeria with the collective
objective of using
education as a tool for
fostering unity.
• This plays out through
location and admission
policy that reflects the
federal character of
Nigeria.
• The curricula of these
institutons prioritizes
patriotism, collaboration,
tolerance, and inter-
relationship.
• Alumni of Unity Schools
are expected to foster very
strong Associations for the
progress of their Alma
Mater and for unity, peace,
stability and progress of
Nigeria.

17. Unity Schools in the New Dispensation
• FGCs or Unity Schools form
the ‘crux of the matter’ in
Nigeria’s nation-building.
• Gen Obasanjo (2023) believes
that FGCs will continue to live
up to expectations and will
continue to contribute to the
unity and growth of our dear
country, Nigeria in oneness,
peace, security, stability and
progress.
FGCs ARE LIKE HEALTHY
'SALAD BOWLS' FOR NATION-
BUILDING
• Federal Government Colleges
attracting balanced intake across
the nation are producing real
'Federated Nigerians' for Nation-
Building ...
• My Prayer is: May these
'groomed' Nigerians go into
socio-economic and political
efforts to dominate and lead in
Unity in Diversity

18. CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS
FOR UNITY SCHOOLS IN THE
NIGERIAN PROJECT

19. The Challenges
• Matthew & Osomkume
(2023) highlight challenges
facing Unity Schools in
fostering unity in diversity in
Nigeria.
• Ranging from the elitist
nature of the school, difficult
admission process to
corruption, poor funding
poor supervision, and
indiscipline among others.
• These challenges are not
different to what obtains in
government ministries,
departments and agencies as
part of general institutional
decay in Nigeria.
• They are open challenges
particularly to the extensive
and influential Alumni
Associations of the various
Unity Schools to counter

20. Prospects for Unity Schools
• Prospects for fostering unity
in diversity reside in the
qualities of coming together
of the Alumni members.
• From small groups of
friendship and brotherhood
to larger institutional
associations and formidable
national networks, the
potentialities can only be
imagined.
• Unity Schools Alumni are
different as ambassadors and
apostles for Nigerian unity,
oneness, and integration.
• If proper integration is pursued,
the ease of forging very strong
alumni associations for the
progress of the institutions and
for unity, peace, stability and
progress of Nigeria will be
achieved.

21. Colours of Citizenship
• GREEN for the Local
Champion born and bred in
the same environment,
hardly left home beyond
immediate locality.
• SILVER for Area Champion
whose range goes beyond
locality but short of national
spread and exposure
• GOLD for crossing Local
and Area to National
Champion for the Students
and Alumni of FGCs
• DOUBLE-GOLD goes for
FGC, Jos at 50th Golden
Jubilee

22. Who Dares Win
• 50 years of producing
unique Ambassadors of the
Rainbow Nation is enough
to build the Rainbow
Nation of Our Dreams.
• Supposing you close from
these celebrations with the
resolve to particpate and
dominate the national life
of Nigeria?
• As you network with each
other, and connect to the
people, in what you do,
where you are in the best
way you can ...!
• You will begin to shine the
Nation’s light as
Ambassadors of Our Great
Rainbow Nation NIGERIA

23. IN CONCLUSION

24. Paper Summary
• The Lecture addresses Unity
in Diversity and describes
the products of Unity
Schools, particularly the
FGC, Jos as Ambassadors of
the Rainbow Nation.
• It discusses the role of Unity
Schools as facilitators and
tool for Fostering Unity and
Diversity in Nigeria.

25. Drawn Conclusions
• Products of Unity Schools
like FGC, Jos are
Ambassadors and Home
Builders of our Rainbow
Nation.
• Your are uniquely prepared
to Foster Unity in Diversity.
• Unity Schools are driven by
the collective motto of
Pro Unitate or For Unity.
• Nigeria’s multi-cultural content
requires a Cultural Diplomatic
Corp to foster Unity in Diversity.
• Challenges of Nation-Building is
equally marched by the FGCs-
Driven Unity in Diversity.
• A Golden Jubilee event is
momentous and life changing
and a turning point to renew the
Pan-Nigeria Charter and
strengthen the Covenant with
your Alma Mater, the FGC, Jos

26. Recommendations
• Resolve to unite and pursue
your unique Oath of
Allegiance as Ambassadors
of the Rainbow Nation.
• To unite, to bind, to federate,
to lead, and to build Nigeria.
• Network with all other Unity
Schools in the motto of Pro
Unitate - For Unity of
NIGERIA.
• Create a Cultural Diplomatic
Corps for Nigeria across
identity, space, and ideology,
to pursue UNITY IN
DIVERSITY
• Renew the Pan-Nigeria
Charter as Covenant of
Loyalty to your Alma Mater
in the Nigerian Project.

27. THANK YOU
FOR THE 50-YEAR
ATTENTION

28. Reference
Matthew, O. O. and Osomkume (2023) Unity schools and national
integration in Nigeria: Issues, challenges, and the way forward, GPH-
International Journal of Educational Research, 6/4
Obasanjo, O. (2023) The quest for unity in Nigeria and the role of unity
schools. Being remarks at the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of
Federal Government College, Kaduna. February