The Nigeria Patriotic Coalition (NPC) has charged the citizens to remain steadfast and committed to the unity of the country despite the current pains and difficulties.
This was the admonition of Convener of the group, Hon. Yemi Akinbode at a stakeholders’ consultative meeting of concerned Nigerians and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the State of the Nation held in Lagos.
According to a statement by the group’s spokesperson, Mr. Muyiwa Akintunde, the Converner implored Nigerians, especially the youths not to lose faith in Nigeria in the face of the harsh and difficult living conditions.
The statement reads: “This is a dark period in the annals of Nigeria. A time that calls for sober reflection and rethinking, to examine where and how we got it wrong? We are at a critical juncture where we must come together as a nation and a people to re-examie what we have done wrong, and how to make necessary changes.
“Nigeria cannot afford to fail in performing her role as the leading light of the Black race. Nigeria’s leadership cannot afford to fail the multitude of the black people around the world who look up to her for hope and freedom. We call on all patriotic Nigerians to join hands with us in the new journey to build a single, indivisible, united and prosperous nation”.
The statement said further, “We know that Nigerians are facing very difficult and harsh living conditions caused by long years of military rule, value-decadence, corruption and unemployment. Yet we cannot afford as a nation to drop the ball, we cannot afford to fail the multitude of black people around the world who look up to us as the only hope for the black race.
“In spite of all the challenges, we must remain resolute in our march towards building a peaceful and enduring democracy. We must navigate the waters and ensure we head towards a moment where the dream of the founding fathers of Nigeria, encapsulated in a strong, egalitarian, united and prosperous Nigeria is realised.
“Now that the general elections are over, now that a new set of leaders have been elected to pilot our affairs as a nation, we must be guided by those things that unite us. We must continue to promote those elements of our national history that foster peaceful co-existence, sincerity of purpose and a commitment to a united, indivisible, multicultural Nigeria.
“At this point we call on all concerned and eell-meaning Nigerians, stakeholders and influencers to join hands with us in the quest of rebuilding our social, political and cultural ties; our diversity for the good and unity of Nigeria”.
Akinbode also hinted at the plan for a National Summit, a brainchild of NPC, in collaboration with the National Values and Patriotic Furun (NVPF).
He said that the full agenda of the Summit would be unveiled at a national media briefing in Abuja shortly.
He commended the efforts of the leaders and members of the group for their efforts and contributions thus far and implored the NPC family across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to get ready for the summit which would reshape the direction and focus of the coalition
Earlier, the National Coordinator of NVPF, Dr..Ogbonna Onyeisi said that the mainstay of Nigeria democracy is the diversity of the people and cultures. This, he said, has been the strength and power of the people,
He said: “So I see no reason why religion and ethnicity should derail Nigeria’s march to greatness.Over the years, Nigeria has emerged as the beckon of hope for the black race. Nigeria is the last hope of the black man around the world. We must remain steadfast and committed to the ideals of unity in diversity, strong and equitable justice. For us in NVPF, this is the task we have assigned to ourselves.
“We want to appeal to all segments of the Nigeria population to join hands with us in bringing justice, peace and unity to our nation”.
Onyeisi said that the only recipe to unity, peace and progress “is the peoples’ commitment and devotion to love for country, patriotism and sincerity of purpose”.
