NCAC Boss Urges Politicians To Promote Peace, Unity in Nigeria
The Director-General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Chief Olusegun Runsewe, has urged politicians to promote peaceful existence and unity in the country.
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He gave the advice on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, that as the general elections comes nearer, politicians should play the game peacefully.
“Without a peaceful environment, there is nothing we can achieve. In fact, investors will not come to us. We believe strongly in building peace towards the general elections.”
“Building culture of peace towards Nigeria’s elections is part of our programmes. We went as well as doing calendar in our own little contribution towards building culture of peaceful election.”
“I decide to bring it out for you so that you can see it and appreciate that we are not just speaking but at least showing the good face of what we are doing.’’
The NACA Boss appealed to Nigerians to tolerate and appreciate cultural values of one another.
“We need to appreciate each other cultural value because election is not a do or die affairs.”
“We should have conscience to know that no one single blood drop is necessary to make Nigeria a great nation.”
“I am appealing to all our politicians to play the game peacefully so that we can have a story to tell for a better Nigeria.”
“From our part, we are doing our own little contributions of building culture of peace in having a very successful election.”
He further urged Nigerians to be patient and tolerate each other.
”I will use a small proverb saying that there is a snake in front of the house and the women are waiting for the men to kill the snake.”
“That is the message I want to send to Nigerians, that if the women can kill the snake, we will reserve the men for the lion when if eventually come.”
“So, we must appreciate that every one of us has a role to play to make Nigeria great again,’’ he said.
According to him, the issue of hate speech can also be addressed if Nigerians appreciate cultural values of one another.
“I will tell you today, you invite an Hausa man to your house and he says please before you enter my house, you should remove your shoes outside and you say he is local, that is his belief.”
“You invite Igbo man and he tells you, bring collar, we have to put libation. That is his belief.”
“You invite Yoruba person, he wants to wash his hands and eat hot Amala. You say he is a local man. That is his belief. We must tolerate each other cultural value,’’ he added.
Runsewe said that NCAC was doing everything possible to enlighten, inform and educate Nigerians culturally why Nigerians need to live in harmony and peace.
NAN/O.O
