TheCable

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) says a decline in values is triggering ethnic and religious tensions in the country.

Garba Abari, NOA director-general (DG), spoke in Abuja on Wednesday at an award ceremony organised by the Arewa Youth Consultative Council (AYCC) in honour of Josephine Oghale-Abraham, founder of Love to the World Initiative.

Abari who was represented by Williams Dogo, the agency’s deputy director of legal services, urged Nigerians to re-orient themselves with values of peace and build a united nation together.

He lauded Oghale-Abraham’s efforts in nation and peace-building and asked citizens to emulate her.

“The recipient was awarded because of her outstanding qualities and her efforts in the process of peace-building in Nigeria and that is why I said it is necessary for all of us to take a cue,” he said.

“My message to all Nigerians is that we should all strive in our various little areas to see that we promote peace, this is exactly what the National Orientation Agency is doing, calling on Nigerians to be peace ambassadors wherever they find themselves, let them be ready to accommodate others despite our differences. 

“I must tell you, we have lost our long-cherished values. What Nigerians need is value reorientation, we all know that years back this love that existed between Nigerians, no matter your tribe, no matter your ethnic group, wherever you find yourselves you treat each other as one.

“Unfortunately, like I said we have lost the values that preach peace, tolerance, love and harmony. Unless we go back to those values, we will still be chasing peace and it will continue to elude us.”

Abari added that the NOA is implementing a programme called “Building a people of peace” to enable citizens to take up active roles in healing the nation.

Zaid Ayuba, the AYCC president, said the recipient was awarded owing to her efforts in providing relief materials to Kogi residents who were affected by last year’s devastating flood and her endeavours towards bridging peace in Kaduna, a state with high counts of armed violence.

Ayuba added that Oghale-Abraham’s exceptional efforts in educational sponsorships, healthcare assistance, feeding the orphans, and widows, and supporting the financially challenged individuals in various communities, were also reasons for her recognition.

“This is a country where we need peace sacrosanctly and we felt we should honour her so that the world can see and for other Nigerians to emulate her,” Ayuba said.

“If we have people like her, issues of religious intolerance, and tribal segregation and all forms of problem we’re having as a country will be a thing of the past.”

Oghale-Abraham said the recognition from the council proved that unity is a value that is at the Arewa youth’s forefront, describing it as a moment of hope for the country.

“I have heard about AYCC and read about their activities but never thought of an award from them,” she said.

“Being a southerner and receiving an award from a northern group showed that a lot of narratives being peddled about relationships in the country are incorrect.

“Nigeria is our project and with this group of youths, you can tell that there is hope for Nigeria; the north and south will be united and Nigeria will be great again.”

She thanked the organisers for the gesture and dedicated the award to every Nigerian who is selfless and committed to promoting the cause of the country.