Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said the calls for secession in some quarters in Nigeria were unacceptable.
He spoke while delivering a speech virtually at the opening of the 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Bauchi State.
Mohammed, however, said it was rational and ideal for citizens to call for restructuring and true federalism, adding that whatever challenges facing the country can be overcome.
According to the minister, “while it is alright for citizens to call for restructuring and true federalism, what is not acceptable is the call in certain quarters for secession.
“Whatever challenges we have today as a nation, can and will be surmounted. In fact, the Federal Government had set in motion the necessary machinery to tackle the challenge of insecurity.
“We should, therefore, not allow today’s challenges, whether in the area of economy or security, to jeopardise our unity.”
The information minister, who apologised for not being able to be physically present in Bauchi for the event, however, appealed to NIPR to use its platform to work for the unity of Nigeria.
“That task has never been more urgent than now against the background of discordant voices in the country and calls for separation.
“I see NIPR as a capable partner in the government’s effort to douse the tension in the land and beat the drum of unity rather than the drum of war.
“May I also repeat my call to NIPR to raise voice against those fanning the embers of disunity and discord in the country. Without a country that is peaceful and secured, there can be no development.
“This administration is doing everything possible to return peace and security across the country,” the minister said.
He urged the NIPR to partner with the Federal Government in the fight against fake news, misinformation as well as hate speech.
National President, NIPR, Mallam Mukhtar Suraju, said the event was coming at a time when public relations was solely needed to redirect the compass of the country.
He observed that all promises the country held were bedevilled by so many challenges, many of which he said were ordinarily avoidable and unnecessary.
Suraju said the challenges ranged from insecurity to social tension occasioned by mutual mistrust and suspicion among leaders of various components of the country.
He, however, added that NIPR believed in Nigeria and its continued corporate existence.
Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who was represented by his deputy, Alhaji Baba Tela, appreciated NIPR for allowing the state to be the host of the AGM.