The president of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Malam Mukhtar Sirajo, on Monday inaugurated a 52-man committee for his plan for a national summit on national integration, peace and security in the country.
A statement issued Tuesday in Abuja by NIPR Public Relations Officer (PRO) Stanley Ogadigo quoted Sirajo as saying that the Institute’s decision to seek peace in the country went beyond using the front line. kinetic warfare.
“This battle and the search for peace can be won on another front,” he said.
Sirajo explained that the summit was designed to gather ideas, starting in September 2021, from each of the 36 states in the federation, at zonal levels and culminating with a national citizens’ summit later in the year.
He noted that the efforts of the NIPR in the search for peace in the country were by no means an attempt to erode the efforts of the armed forces and security agencies, but a task that the Institute had set for itself. because of the patriotic citizens he paraded as members. .
He said the NIPR Peace Summit would complement the efforts of security agencies, as there was now a pressing need to seek a people-to-people approach to restore public confidence.
“A review of most of the news relating to Nigeria today will tell us that there is an urgent need to restore peace, security, trust and mutual understanding in our nation.
“The absence of peace and security in any society hinders harmonious relations and makes economic development delay inevitable.
“Unprecedented violent events throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria, together with unrest of various shades, are stoking the embers of national disintegration.
“Ethnic and tribal chauvinists are quickly assuming the role of celebrities and role models for our children.
“Our nation appears to be at war on many fronts at once – violence and violent tendencies, kidnapping for ransom, banditry and terrorism, economic challenges, social disarticulation, corruption and the ensuing reputation deficit have manifested themselves in the nation.
“Our valiant soldiers and other security agencies, over the past decade or so, have given and are still doing their best for this fight, under equally difficult circumstances and terrain,” said Sirajo.
He added that the NIPR was confident that the situation would improve, despite the gloom and the frightening outlook.
He said the ideas generated by the summit would be turned into a plan and policy recommendations for governments at all levels as they worked on a new trajectory for Nigeria’s renaissance.
“We have choices to make; choice between the round table and the war front; between economic growth and prosperity on the one hand, and poverty and famine on the other; and between resigning oneself to a doomed fate and rising to the challenge.
“I believe that posterity will not forgive us if we have failed in our choices to prefer the round table, the exploitation of our diversity for the benefit of all, prosperity to poverty and to show ourselves at the time of growth. and sustainable development based on equity, justice, respect and love for one another.
“This is why we call on men and women of good conscience to listen to this bugle and to join us in this very noble initiative.
“These essential ingredients are needed to bring everyone together at a round table to resolve the differences that seem to be tearing us apart.
“There is no segment of Nigerian society that we are leaving out in the consultation process.
“So far we have tried to get the support and collaboration of professionals, civil society, youth, workers, students, socio-cultural and religious organizations, and we are not yet finished, because it remains a work in progress.
Dr Ike Neliaku would serve as chairman, while Michael Falosayi would serve as secretary, with committee members including Otunba Segun Runsewe, Director General of the National Arts and Culture Council (NCAC), Dr Kennie Obateru, director general of public communications, NNPC and CP Emmanuel Ojukwu (rtd.), former police public relations officer. (NAN)
