Nigerians are being urged by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to use the Valentine’s Day celebration in 2023 to demonstrate their love for their country and for one another, which will aid in national rebirth and peace.
The counsel was given at the Patriotism Orientation Programme at Government Secondary School, Gosa, Abuja by the Director-General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari.
According to Abari, the program’s goal is to encourage kids in Nigeria this Valentine’s to use the internet safely.
The director-general claimed that Nigeria and its people had noticed a troubling tendency in social and political discourse that occasionally questioned long-standing friendship, neighborly love, and a sense of oneness.
According to him, this trend seems to suggest that Nigerians have not learned anything from history and that the long, well-thought-out national integration initiatives are yet to yield the desired results.
“Government and well-meaning citizens continue to express worry at the level of division and hate that is being expressed in the conventional and social media about us and by us.
“Social media in particular, which is mostly used by our youths, because of its largely uncontrolled nature, gives amplitude to voices of hate, misunderstanding, and intolerance.
“This blurs our beautiful diversity for which the world admires our country,’’ he said.
Abari that Nigerians should support the government’s efforts at sustaining peace and security during the 2023 general elections.
“As we approach the general elections, it is important to note that the promotion of peace and security is a task for every individual whether young or old.
“We are all stakeholders in security and peace-building and we must all take action in supporting the government’s efforts at sustaining peace and security in Nigeria.
“This underscores the relevance of national cohesion which is a condition precedent for peace and security.
“The synergy that national cohesion brings to the table is the sort that modern societies leverage for their development.
“The resultant mutual respect and love among citizens is an invaluable contribution to promoting peace in Nigeria through our common heritage which signposts our common destiny,’’ Abari stressed.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Master Umar Isah, said that with the program, students were aware of the dangers associated with social media platforms, especially with the trend of the spread of fake news and hate speeches during valentine’s and other periods.
According to him, the advocacy has opened the minds of students to safer platforms which we will be utilized to contribute to nation-building.
NOA in partnership with Tiktok and Data Scientists Network organized the program with the theme: “Fall in love with Nigeria.’’
