Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to use the new year as an opportunity to eschew divisive and parochial tendencies, calling on the citizens to embrace inclusion and general good.

Atiku, who stated that Nigerians need a reawakening that would invigorate unity as one people of one good country, said the reawakening must be a commitment the citizens should pursue in 2022.

The former Vice President made the call via his New Year message he personally signed and made available to The Star on Friday.

“Moving forward into the decade of the 2020s, our New Year resolution should be about eschewing divisive and parochial tendencies and embracing inclusion and general good.

“We cannot continue to kick the same can down the road, yet again. We need a reawakening. And it is a reawakening that must invigorate our unity as one people of one good country. That is the commitment that we must pursue in this New Year,” he said.

Atiku, who added that 2021 came with challenges, especially with the waves of COVID-19 and insecurity, however, called on Nigerians to remain united despite the challenges and struggles for economic survival.

He stated that: “The outgone year came and went with challenges, especially with the second, third and fourth waves of the dreaded Coronavirus disease; sundry upsets that troubled the peace and security in different parts of the country; a depressing economy and many touching stories of tragedies. For Nigerians, who lost dear ones to these calamities, it is my prayer that God shall continue to comfort the bereaved families.”

Atiku noted that 2022 would be a remarkable one, adding that the new year is filled with hope and optimism.

He added that hate and strife can never build a nation, noting that unity and understanding bind a nation together.

While congratulating Nigerians on the new year celebration, the former Vice President urged the citizens to desist from every molecule of hate and strife, but immerse their hearts in unity, love and peace.