A Clarion call has been made to Nigerians from all walks of life to imbibe the culture of putting Nigeria first to arrest the pervading hostility in our socio-political space and mobilize our human and material resources towards the attainment our national development.
Otunba Segun Runsewe, the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture made the call in Abuja when he launched the #PUTTINGNGERIAFIRST campaign as a strategic response to the socio-political situation facing the country at the moment.
Runsewe maintained that the new government of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinibu has promised to run an all inclusive government of national unity recognition and competence adding that the new dawn presents an opportunity for all Nigerians to work together and confront squarely the task of building the Nigeria of our dream.
Runsewe charged all nigerians to have faith in the Nigerian Project and be pationately committed to national development by rising beyond the narrow confines of individualistic concern, religion and political cleavages and put Nigeria First in the interest of peace, social integration harmony and national development.
According to Runsewe, “We have no other nation apart from Nigeria. Therefore making Nigeria great is a task for all nigerians irrespective of religion or creed. This is why we must exchew all forms of religious bigotry, ethnic jingoism, and unhealthy political practice that tend to fan the embers of disunity and distract us from our developmental aspirations”
The Director General therefore, called on all nigerians particularly the political elite, religious leaders, traditional leaders, opinion moulders and all well meaning nigerians to join hands with the new administration in it’s determined efforts to reposition our nation on the path of sustainable peace, socio-ecomomic growth and development.
In a paper titled “Media and Politics”, Mr. Gbenga Arulegba, a renowned broadcast journalist, reminded the men of the fourth estate of their cardinal responsibility to the country. He said it was unethical for media to be partisan in the course of their assignments. He went further to add that the nation depends on the agenda setting responsibility of the media as the watchdog of the society.
Mrs Susan Akporiaye, the President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents (NANTA) speaking on “The role of Women in National Unity” said women are naturally created to be builders and their role in nation building cannot be overemphasized. She explained that women are created to be Lovers, wifes, mothers, comforters and builders depending on the circumstances they find themselves.
She explained that the nation begins from the home which places women strategically to build the home which is the bedrock of a successful nation.
Also speaking, A clergyman from the Assembles of God Church, Rev. (Dr) Godwin Agaga who spoke on”Religion and Ethics” said religion and ethical practices has a lot of influence in nation building. He stated that religion helps man to understand the supremacy of God’s thoughts over man. He also used the occasionally to call on all nigerians to exchew all forms of bitterness and religious bigotry and give God the chance to lead the country on the right path.
There were Goodwill messages from the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, FTAN. Nigeria Institute of Cultural Orientation, NICO, Public Procurement Practitioners of Nigeria ,APPON and other well meaning nigerians.
Participants to the event were drawn from Secondary Schools within the FCT, Stake holders in the Culture and Tourism sector, professional organizations, the general public and the media.
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