Lagos: A lawyer, Mr. Charles Okeibunor, has called on Nigerians to unite on common values that will promote national growth and harmony. Okeibunor made the call on Saturday in Lagos while delivering the keynote address at the investiture of Mr. Abdul Ojo as the 48th President of the Yaba Lions Club.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event featured the installation of other club officers and the 2025-2026 fundraising for the club. Okeibunor emphasized the need for Nigerians to agree on shared values that transcend religion, ethnicity, and politics to achieve collective goals. He advocated for unity on a set of values essential for achieving national goals and urged resistance against any threats to these values.
Okeibunor highlighted that great nations remain united through agreed-upon values guiding their development. He asserted that Nigeria could progress faster if its citizens uphold principles of honesty, hard work, and unity, pointing out that religion and politics are not the problem, but rather the lack of agreed-upon binding values.
He encouraged club members and Nigerians to avoid being weak links in the unity chain and to uphold what is right, regardless of affiliations. “When you are united, nothing can stop you but if you are not united, nothing can help you,” Okeibunor stated.
In his acceptance speech, the new president, Ojo, expressed gratitude and outlined his administration’s focus on service to humanity through projects in health, education, youth empowerment, and support for the visually impaired. Ojo emphasized that the event was not just a celebration but a call to action, highlighting projects for the 2025-2026 club year, including youth sensitization against drug abuse, support for cancer patients, renovation of schools, and mental health awareness campaigns.
Ojo agreed with the keynote address, noting that Nigeria’s issues could be resolved by putting aside divisive sentiments and considering the collective good. He mentioned that the country’s current suffering is due to a lack of unity and encouraged small groups to consider the impact of their actions on others to rebuild the nation.
Mr. Ano Anyanwu, the immediate past Council Chairperson of Multiple District 404 Nigeria and a Yaba Lions Club member since 1995, advised Nigerians to always “do the right thing by choice.” He emphasized that development starts with individuals acting rightly and upholding morals, stating that Nigeria once operated with high moral and ethical standards and that rebuilding must start with individuals.
Anyanwu concluded that choosing to do the right thing by choice could lead to true happiness in the nation. The event also included the induction of a new member into the Yaba Lions Club, with plans for further inductions for members who could not meet the requirements. Members who excelled in the past year were honored with awards for their dedication and contributions to humanitarian service.