Senator Diket Plang challenges Nigerian leaders to imitate Rwanda’s approach to national unity

Senator Diket Plang, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour, Employment, and Productivity, has advised Nigeria to take a cue from Rwanda, where prioritising national unity over other interests that foster pluralism is commonplace.

This, according to the senator, is based on his observations from the National Assembly Service Commission members’ recent Parliamentary Study Tour to Rwanda.

The senator for Plateau Central urged Nigerian leaders to research Rwanda, which is governed without regard to religious, tribal, or ethnic beliefs. He also said that more legislation should be focused on issues that will bring the nation together and foster a sense of patriotism among its citizens by the nation’s legislative branches.

“Based on our findings while in Rwanda, we discovered that divisions have turned to unity, there’s honesty and transparency, and destruction has turned to construction. They are united in their quest to build their country. They see humanity and learn from it in terms of crisis management,” he said.

Senator Plang noted the remarkable progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment in Rwanda, adding that the commitment to gender equality of Rwanda is worthy of emulation by stakeholders in Nigeria to accelerate the progress of Nigeria.

“Based on our findings, Rwanda ranks among the highest globally on the achievement of gender parity, particularly in women’s political participation, with nearly two-thirds of parliamentary seats and 55 percent of cabinet positions currently held by women.

“The Government of Rwanda has further demonstrated its commitment by co-leading the “Generation Equality” Action Coalition on Technology and Innovation, pledging to close the digital gender divide by 2026.

“It was equally noted that, as provided by the constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, the current parliament is bicameral, composed of the Chamber of People and Senate, while the mission is to legislate and promote parliamentary diplomacy, among others,” he noted.

He stated that the essence of the tour is for the exchange of ideas and learning from one another, adding that the visit affords them the opportunity to meet and interact with the Rwanda parliament, staff, speaker, and deputy speaker of the chamber of deputies.

Senator Plang added that the team equally paid respects to the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi and toured memorial exhibits that document the Genocide and its aftermath.