The Director-General of?National Orientation Agency (NOA)??Mike Omeri, has called on Nigerians to resist?attempts by some unpatriotic citizens trying to plunge the country into another civil war.
This is contained in a?statement signed by??Paul Odenyi, the Chief Press Secretary of the agency, made available in Abuja on Thursday.
Omeri gave the charge?at the induction ceremony of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Lagos.
He alerted Nigerians on a fresh plot by “some disgruntled elements?? to cause crisis in?the country.
He urged Nigerians to expose rather than cooperate with such people trying?to disunite?the country.
He said that the elites and?middle-class in the country had relationships and strong bond that transcended tribes and religion.
The director-general?said that Nigerians of different religious persuasions were desirous of living in peace with one another.
“The critical mass of ordinary Nigerians from different parts of the country live in suspicion of one another.
“Through the interfaith dialogue sessions organised by the NOA across the country, it has been found that Nigerians of different religious persuasions are desirous of living in peace with one another.??
“I wonder who is promoting this inter-tribal and inter-religious suspicion, and who stands to benefit from a Nigeria that is divided along tribal and religious lines,? he said.
Omeri encouraged traditional rulers in?the country?to embark on regular exchange of visits in order to promote enduring?inter-tribal relationships among the different peoples of Nigeria.
The director-general?urged Nigerians to imbibe the attitude of doing the right thing always in order to build a good national reputation.
“It is the aggregate of our actions as individuals in private sector, religious sectors and government sector that will determine the kind of national reputation that we project,?? Omeri emphasised.
While urging?the media to re-asses its role in the development of the country, he advised journalists to?project those things that bind the nation together by looking at the present spate of insecurity and ways of handling it.
Omeri cautioned Nigerians against negative projection?of the nation’s?image through individual and collective actions.
