Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has emphasized that Nigeria's true progress depends on unity rather than its size, urging citizens to overcome ethnic and religious divisions.

Speaking as Father of the Day at the Bwatiye 2025 International Cultural Festival and Development Foundation Fundraising event in Yola, Adamawa State on Saturday, Dogara stressed that strength lies in unity, not numbers.

"If Nigeria will make true progress, it won't be because we are big but because we are united. Let's consolidate our greatness on things that are common to us, which fortunately are more than the things that divide us," Dogara stated at the event held at Mahmud Ribadu Square.

The former Speaker highlighted that ethnicity and religion, often sources of division in Nigeria, need not be divisive factors as neither inherently preaches division. He advised Nigerians to let their common humanity bind them together instead.

Bwatiye Cultural Celebration

The three-day cultural festival, which concluded on Saturday, brought together Bwatiye people from across Adamawa State and international locations including Cameroon, Gabon, and Central Africa.

According to the organizers, the event aimed to unite sons and daughters of the Bwatiye nation, strengthen their bonds, and work toward achieving common goals. The Bwatiye people collectively refer to two ethnic groups—the Bachama and Bata—predominantly found in Numan, Demsa, Girei, Fufore, and Lamurde local government areas of Adamawa State, as well as parts of Cameroon.

During the festival, millions of Naira were raised to fund the construction of a unity school, further emphasizing the community's commitment to fostering unity and development.

Dogara's message at the cultural event resonates beyond the Bwatiye community, addressing broader national concerns about ethnic and religious tensions that have challenged Nigeria's unity and development efforts over the years.