Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says the
clamour for secession in some parts of Nigeria is unacceptable.
Mohammed spoke on Thursday at the opening ceremony of the
2021 annual general meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations
(NIPR) in Bauchi.
While the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is
seeking secession of the south-east, some Yoruba campaigners are agitating for
the breakaway of the south-west.
Mohammed noted that while it is “rational and ideal” for
citizens to call for restructuring and true federalism, calls for secession are
intolerable.
He said the federal government has set necessary mechanisms
in motion to tackle insecurity and that Nigeria can overcome its problems.
“While it is alright for citizens to call for restructuring
and true federalism, what is not acceptable is the call in certain quarters for
secession,” Mohammed said.
“Whatever challenges we have today as a nation, can and will
be surmounted. In fact, the federal government had set in motion the necessary
machinery to tackle the challenge of insecurity.
“We should therefore not allow today’s challenges, whether
in the area of economy or security, to jeopardise our unity.”
The minister enjoined the NIPR to use its platform to work
for the unity of Nigeria.
“That task has never been more urgent than now against the
background of discordant voices in the country and calls for separation,”
Mohammed said.
“I see NIPR as a capable partner in government’s effort to
douse the tension in the land and beat the drum of unity rather than the drum
of war.
“May I also repeat my
call to NIPR to raise voice against those fanning the embers of disunity and
discord in the country. Without a country that is peaceful and secured, there
can be no development.
“This administration is doing everything possible to return
peace and security across the country.”
He encouraged the NIPR to partner with the federal
government in the fight against fake news, misinformation and hate speech.
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