29th September, 2017
Gov. Sani Bello of Niger on Thursday in Lagos urged Nigerians to do everything possible to preserve the unity of the country and it’s corporate existence.
Bello gave the advice at the 5th anniversary lecture of the News Express, an online newspaper.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lecture had at its theme: National Unity and Demand for Restructuring.
Represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Jibrin Ndache, the governor said the strength and potential of the Nigeria depended on its unity and urged citizens to guard it jealously.
He said the huge population of the country and its diversity was a source of envy for many countries.
Bello said that he was not opposed the restructuring of Nigeria so far it would strengthen the country and promote its development.
He advised that in calling for restructuring, there were some red lines that should not be crossed because of the threats they posed to unity.
READ: Restructuring: Reps seek support from Nigerians
“There is nothing wrong with restructuring, so far it promotes the development of the country.
“However, that should be done in such a way that the unity of the country is not undermined,” he said.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to President Muhammad Buhari on Media, Mr Femi Adeshina said the president was committed to the unity and peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians.
He said the president would not allow anything, under whatever guise to threaten the unity and territorial integrity of the country.
The presidential aide said Buhari was not opposed to any restructuring so long it deepened the unity of the country and promote its development.
He, however, decried the use of restructuring by some politician as a tool of opposition.
“I have heard the president recalled his experiences during the civil war, trekking long distances to prosecute an avoidable war.
“With that ugly experience, he has said he will never allow any individual or group destroy the country he and other committed Nigerians suffered for to preserve it’s unity,” he said.
Adeshina urged media practitioners to be alive to their responsibilities of promoting peace and unity through their practice.
He urged journalists to put patriotism first in what they sent out to the public.
Also speaking, External General Manager,Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG), Dr Kudo Erasie-Eke, said the theme of the lecture was apt in view of the threats to the unity of Nigeria.
He said it was the responsibility of all Nigerians to promote peace and peaceful coexistence of citizens.
He said NLNG had embarked on many projects to promote development in several parts of Nigeria, especially in its host communities.