They spoke at a one-day programme held in Abuja, yesterday, which had as theme: ‘Culture, Peace and National Rebirth: Agenda Setting’.
It was organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).
According to the Director General, NCAC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the path charting event is expected to kick-start a conversation that will lead to national discourse on the need for all to work together for peace, development and general wellbeing of Nigerians.
He said there has been no time since after the civil war that the country was polarised along primordial and parochial lines than during the 2023 general election. “The tension, bitterness, rancour and acrimony generated by the electioneering campaigns have tended to further fuel the embers of distrust and disunity among Nigerians,” he said.
Runsewe said the disturbing development has impacted the country’s youth. “There’s the growing feeling of alienation among the vast majority of our youths, manifesting in various forms of restiveness and the internationalisation and exhibition of vices that are at variance with our culture.”
Also speaking, former Director, National Orientation Agency, Dr. David Manya Dogo, in his paper on ‘Engendering Religious Tolerance for National Unity’, raised the need to shun religious sentiment in their dealings. He pointed to Nigeria being heavily divided on religious and ethnic cleavages in the last general election.
Speakers also include, Mrs Rebecca Ede, Dr. James Komolafe, among others.
