By Seyi Babalola
In an effort to address concerns related to the general elections in 2023, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Wednesday made courtesy visits to traditional leaders in Lagos.
The Director-General NOA, Mr. Garba Abari, during a visit to Eze Nwachukwu, Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, at the Igbo State Community Centre, Isolo, commended the traditional leader for giving him and his team warm reception.
According to Abari, the purpose of the visit was to interact with the media, civil society organizations, and traditional leaders in an effort to promote cooperation and peaceful coexistence in the nation.
One month after the election, he said, the mood in the country was still toxic, hence action was required.
He asserts that certain politicians are making situations worse because of their words and actions, which do not advance peace.
The director-general noted that traditional and religious institutions, among other groups, had a role to play in ensuring that peace was upheld in the country.
“We must all put Nigeria first in every decision we make and ensure that we live in peace and harmony.
“We are in Lagos because of what played out during the last elections, which shows that there is a need for more sensitisation.
“Lagos is a mini Nigeria and economic hub of the nation; it harbours people from different ethnic and religious groups and as such, anything that disturbs the peace of Lagos, disturbs the life-wire of the country,” he said.
He contends that it is the responsibility of the leaders, parents, and character-builders to make a positive difference by encouraging their followers to put the recent elections in the past and move on.
Abari encouraged the Eze Ndigbo to make a grassroots appeal to the Igbo community, Lagosians, and Nigerians to enable the legal process challenging the election’s results to proceed peacefully.
“Leaders will come and go but Nigeria will remain. I am hopeful that our message will be cascaded down, even to the lowest person in the country,” the director-general said.
The Eze Ndigbo Nwachukwu, while responding, expressed deep gratitude to NOA for the advocacy visit and stated that the issue of peace and one Nigeria is very important and showcases preparedness to emulate one Nigeria for stability in the country.
He stated that politics is the only thing that creates problems in Nigeria and now the traditional institution is ready to work and cooperate to have a peaceful country.
“Politics is the only thing that creates problems in Nigeria but anytime politics come and go we leave together.
“We don’t war in Nigeria again, we believe in peace and unity. We assure you that peace will reign in Lagos and in Nigeria.
“Your preaching is in the very right direction and we are giving you a very good guarantee that peace will reign.
“My community will continue to preach peace, talk peace and promote peace,” he stated.
At the home of the Sariki Hausawa of Lagos State, The DG of NOA, Garba Abari represented by Mrs. Adeola Adelaja, Director, Political, Civic, Ethics And Value, NOA, appealed to the traditional leader to continue to support the agency by calming the nerves of the citizens.
He pointed out that the Sariki, a significant stakeholder, must lead the propagation of messages of peace and harmony throughout the state and the nation.
By next week, the agency, according to Abari, will continue its interactions with other traditional leaders from different tribes, as well as with registered civil society organizations from all around the state and country.
Responding, Alhaji Kabiru Garba, Sarki Hausawa of Lagos State/Chairman Council of Arewa Chiefs said the gospel of NOA was well received by the council and will be disseminated to his kindred.
He said that the state’s Hausa community will work with the agency to promote peaceful coexistence between Lagos State’s indigenes and non-indigenes.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Nigerian flag, plagues, and other souvenirs of the agency to the traditional leaders.
Some of the pictures at the event are below:
