AfriPulse
November 16, 2025 November 16, 2025
By Jane Okeke
Director of the Max and Karl Foundation, Maxwell Ezelagu, has renewed calls for an end to deeply ingrained stereotypes in Nigeria, urging citizens and policymakers to judge people by their character rather than their ethnic, religious, or regional identity.
Speaking at an event marking the foundation’s one-year anniversary, Ezelagu said Nigeria’s diversity “should be a collective strength, not a fault line,” stressing that equality and fairness must guide interactions across all communities.
He urged a deliberate national mindset shift beginning from the school system, where he said curricula must be reworked to promote inclusivity, respect, and a sense of shared identity among young Nigerians.
Ezelagu’s remarks come at a time when the country continues to wrestle with insecurity, economic instability, and widespread inequality — issues he believes are worsened by persistent stereotypes and divisive sentiments.
Also speaking at the event, renowned development communication specialist Kaseina Dashe underscored the need for deliberate and effective policy implementation, warning that many well-crafted policies in Nigeria have failed due to poor execution and weak accountability structures.
Dashe cited the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the federal character principle as examples of initiatives designed to promote unity and fairness but which, over time, “have been reduced to networking tools dictated by who you know rather than merit or equity.”
A strong advocate for women’s rights, she highlighted the frustrations women face over state-of-origin classification. “I am a woman, and for women and girls in Nigeria, we are in a deep dilemma,” she said. “Are you from your parents’ state of origin or your husband’s? These identity policies often work against us.”
Dashe called on government at all levels to embrace a more transparent implementation culture, including stakeholder engagement and structured feedback systems.
“The government should be open to getting feedback on how policies are implemented and use that data to improve them,” she said.
Her concerns and recommendations reflect the sentiments of many Nigerians who continue to demand a more equitable, inclusive, and accountable governance process.
The anniversary event also celebrated the impact of Max and Karl’s development-focused initiatives and their contributions to social justice across communities.
Source: Authorityngr.com | Read the Full Story…
