The Bauchi State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR) on Thursday conducted a one day citizens summit on peace, security and national integration.
The summit was declared open by Gov Bala Mohammed who was represented by the secretary to the state government Alhaji Ibrahim Kashim in Bauchi on Thursday .
Gov Mohammed in his remark observed that lack of patriotism and greediness were some of the factors responsible for the current spate of insecurity in the country.
He said patriotism and mutual respect were the necessary ingredients for peace and security to prevail in the polity
“Peace and security are required for harmonious coexistence among the people and is basic for national integration” he said.
He explained that convening the summit for national integration, Peace and security by NIPR was apt and timely considering the prevailing situation in the nation.
Gov Mohammed added that the summit came at a better time than now as there was need to examine and interrogate the threat to the existence of our great country as a united indivisible entity.
“The unity in diversity that used to characterized peaceful coexistence among the various people of the country in good old days must be restored” he said.
” It is my ardent hope that this forum would provide credible and sustainable solutions to the challenges that are facing the unity, progress and development of our country.” he added.
He said for a country like Nigeria that is characterized by ethnic and religious heterogeneity to develop, there must be a deliberate and concerted effort for accommodation and tolerance amount by and between the citizenry.
He however called on governments at various levels to further devise a means of consolidating on peaceful coexistence amongst the various groups in Nigeria.
Mohammed pledged for continued partnership between the state government and the NIPR as professional image making and reputation building managers for promotion of the laudable achievements of his administration.
Earlier in his address, the NIPR President and Chairman of the Council, Malam Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo explained that, good communications is key to solving and resolving national issues.
The NIPR boss said the Institute decided to come up with the summit with a view to propper solutions and suggest the ways on mutual understanding among diverse groups in the country .for aa better Nigeria.
“As relations builder, NIPR has the necessary skills to bring back old days mechanism of resolving issues, by talking about current issues with a view to finding out how to solve them.
“That is why we came up with the idea of the summit so that our people can once again come together and utilise the opportunity positively for the benefit off all” he said.
“In public relations, we speak as it is so that we can really understand the situation”
“You will agree with me that relationship of our people in this country is instead of becoming stronger we seems to be seeing a negative perception and it is believe that diversity is a positive phenomenon and therefore we must harness it for collective development.”
According to him, with good understanding, Nigeria can harness its resources for the benefit of the citizenry and stressed the need for all hands to be on deck towards building a a progressive society for better tomorrow.
“The duty of every generation is to ensure a better society than the one inherited. It is a time to lay a foundation of ensuring we build a progressive society for better society.
Also speaking, the Chairman at the occasion, Ambassador Jibrin Dada Chinade pointed out that, NIPR as a convergence of professionals working in and out of government.
“I want to use this platform to appeal to governments at states and federal levels to attach premium to the outcome of this Summit, because the NIPR is just a professional tailor whose only interest is to stitch together the pieces of national integration, peace and security for national rebirth.”
