National Orientation Agency tasks politicians on peace, security
Director-General of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari, has called on politicians to continue playing their roles in the sustenance of peace and security in Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement issued by an Assistant Director of NOA, Mr Paul Odenyi, in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Director-General said this at a town hall meeting on the 2023 General Elections with Traditional and Moral Institutions, held in Kano.
Abari, who was represented at the occasion by the Director, Political, Civic, Ethics and Values Department, NOA, Mrs Adelaja Adeola said that the agency could not leave the leadership recruitment process in the hands of merchants whose sense of patriotism was still not adequate.
“That is why we continue to preach to our stakeholders, statesmen, men and women of conscience to play their roles in sustaining peace and security in our country.
“Our first peace-building outing in preparation for and conduct of the 2023 election was held in Kano, just a week after the presidential election and before the gubernatorial election.
“We tried at that meeting to engage with the media, to stress the point that moderate reporting and conflict sensitive reporting will be helpful in building a peaceful and stable post-election in Nigeria.
“We are returning to Kano this time around to complement and support the efforts of our civil society partners who have first-time experience after monitoring the 2023 polls,” Abari said.
He said that the promotion of peace and stability were some of the essential goals of NOA’s mandate, hence efforts would be emphasised in ensuring that the stated goals were being achieved.
@PAACA_NG in collaboration with the @NOA_Nigeria is proud to host the Post-2023 General Elections Zonal Town Hall Meeting with stakeholders in Kano. This event aims to foster dialogue, engagement, and collaboration among stakeholders in the aftermath of the general elections. pic.twitter.com/zDMenRSSxz
— National Orientation Agency, Nigeria (@NOA_Nigeria) May 16, 2023
“We in NOA firmly believe that the campaign against electoral violence is gradually taking root in our system.
“More than two months after the elections, we have not witnessed any serious conflict resulting from the election.
“The fact that almost all contenders have invested their hope in the courts of our land speaks loudly of the evolving culture of peace in our democratic system.
” This is a citizen-led campaign that emphasises non-violence, maturity, civility, patriotism and tolerance.
“Our people have chosen to be civilised in their approach to democratic protests. We are, indeed, a people of peace,” the director-general said.
In his remarks, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Kano, Mr Abdu Zango, commended the efforts of political parties and other stakeholders in the state before, during and after the elections.
Zango, who was represented by Mr Ahmad Maulud, said this was part of the reasons for the successful conduct of the elections in the state.
Speaking earlier, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero, who was represented by the Katukan Kano, Alhaji Habibu Bello, described the town hall meeting as apt and timely.
He urged both the political class and the citizens to embrace peace for the wellbeing of the country.
NAN/N.O
