As Nigeria marks her 57th Independence Anniversary, the National Orientation Agency has called on all citizens to use the occasion as a period of sober reflections on the bonds of brotherhood, which all Nigerians share, and the need to eschew rancour and bigotry in the national space.
The Director General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari, made the call in a goodwill message to Nigerians, urging citizens to unite in mutual love and respect against centrifugal forces which threaten the nation’s continued existence.
Abari also urged Nigerians to use the occasion as a platform for engaging constructively with one another with a view to sufficiently addressing the concerns of all sections of the country, adding that if Nigerians talk more with each other, they would understand each other better and minimize socio-political and ethnic conflicts.
Abari reiterated the Agency’s earlier call for Nigerians to shun hate and divisive speeches and rather embrace the practice of celebrating the good in the other person as this would de-emphasize sectionalism and engender mutual acceptance among Nigerians.
While felicitating with Nigerians as they celebrate the national day, he also urged them to pray for the nation to overcome its present challenges and look forward to many more years of productive nationhood.