THE Federal Government will partner with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to take the “Change Begins With Me” campaign to universities across the country, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said.
This was just as the leadership of the students’ apex body, led by the national president, Aruna Kadiri, commended the government over the recent release of 82 abducted Chibok girls by Boko Haram.
Speaking during the NANS leaders’ courtesy visit to his office in Abuja, on Tuesday, by the leadership of NANS, the minister said Nigerian students remained the critical mass of the public who could drive the national re-orientation campaign to success.
“I think the biggest news you have given me today is your readiness to work with us on the ‘Change Begins With Me’. I see ‘Change Begins With Me’ as the greatest legacy this government can leave and it is not by accident that our campaign is largely centred around students.
“We have about seven themes that concentrate only on students. I remember very well about the one that says that ‘I will not sell my body for marks,’ which reflects the campaign on moral rebirth,’’ he said.
Alhaji Mohammed said: “Change Begins With Me’’’ is about attitudinal change, adding that “we must change our ways of doing things starting from punctuality, honesty, integrity, and industry. We have to change the way we do things in such a manner that will benefit everybody. We cannot be doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result.”
While acknowledging NANS’ commendation of the Federal Government for the rescue of 82 Chibok school girls, he said even though there were ongoing efforts to secure the release of the remaining girls, the government was now working for the total restoration of peace and security to the North-East and other parts of the country.