The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, receiving a merit award from the Ambassadors of Voice for Change, a group of Nollywood actors and entertainers, led by Ahmed Bala, in Abuja on Friday, emphasised the need for national unity, saying Nigeria needs peacemakers who will entrench nationalism and patriotism in the polity, and not spoilers.
Adesina said that the Buhari administration would continue to support Nigerians working assiduously to promote peace, harmony and development.
He invoked the words of renowned novelist, Chinua Achebe, in his book ”Arrow of God”, to warn on the consequences of internal conflict and underscore the need for Nigerians to see themselves as one:
”When brothers fight to death a stranger inherits their father’s estate.”
Commending the group on their vision to promote unity in Nigeria, Adesina said the sheer volume of talents and exceptional Nigerians on their network, including those in the entertainment, media, sports, fashion, and arts industry, makes them a formidable voice for positive change in the country.
”The Media office of the President will always support you and I wish you the very best in all your endeavours.
”What you are doing for the country makes our work easier. When you hold town hall meetings in different parts of the country, advocating for unity, peace and change, it is easier for me to do the job and I am very glad to identify with this group, which is nationalistic and patriotic,” Adesina said.
The spokesman of the group, Ben Kure, noted that Adesina, a two-time president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), has distinguished himself as an excellent journalist, writer, media executive and spokesperson of the President, writing his ‘‘name in gold’’ in the media profession and discharge of his duties.
”He has been adjudged the best spokesman by journalists in Nigeria and one of the reasons adduced to this feat is his humility and accessibility, he deeply cares about the welfare of journalists in Nigeria,” he said.
Referring to a recent piece authored by Adesina in his weekly article, Kure thanked the president’s spokesperson for making Nigerians understand President Buhari as a good man and one who remembers and rewards the labours of the living and the dead.
”Thank you for quoting the Scripture: ‘Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not left off his kindness to the living and the dead,’ Kure said, noting that Buhari has demonstrated, through his appointments of Margery Okadigbo, Constance Harry Marshall, Justice Adesola Oguntade and Justice Sylvanus Nsofor of blessed memory, that he is a detribalised Nigerian, passionate about the country.
The representatives of the group that came with Bala, the leader, to the State House to present the award are Kure, Gentle Jack, Saheed Balogun, Ibu, Shina Peters and Onyekweli Harry B.