Runsewe launches #puttingnigeriafirst campaign to enhance national unity

From right, the President, Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria, Mr Nkereuwem Onung; Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Chief Segun Runsewe; Director-General,Natrional Institute of Hospitality and Tourism, Alhaji Nuru Kangiwa and a guest, at the unveiling of the #puttingnigeriafirst, in Abuja, recently.

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 the sociopolitical space and mobilise 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, a strategic response to the sociopolitical situation facing the country.

Runsewe maintained that President Bola Tinubu 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 in the task of building the Nigeria of our dream.

Runsewe charged all Nigerians to have faith in the Nigerian Project and be committed to national development, by rising beyond the 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 citizens to join hands with the new administration in its efforts to reposition the nation on the path of sustainable peace, socioecomomic growth and development.

In a paper titled “Media and Politics” delivered by Mr Gbenga Arulegba, a renowned broadcast journalist, he 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, adding that the nation depends on the agenda setting responsibility of the media as the watchdog of the society.

Mrs Susan Akporiaye, 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 roles in nation building cannot be overemphasised.

She explained that women are created to be lovers, wives, mothers, comforters and builders depending on the circumstances they find themselves.

She explained that the nation building 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 Assemblies of God Church, Reverend (Dr) Godwin Agaga who spoke on Religion and Ethics said religion and ethical practices have influence in nation building.

He stated that religion helps man to understand the supremacy of God’s thoughts over man. He also used the occasion 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 at the event were drawn from secondary schools within the FCT, stake holders in the Culture and Tourism sector, professional organisations, the general public and the media.

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