The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Monday urged the military and other security agencies in the country not to give up on the fight against terrorism, armed banditry and all forms of crimes and criminality.
He said they should embrace the spirit of patriotism, commitment and love for fatherland in order to ensure a peaceful nation.
Ogbeni Aregbesola made the call at a patriotism advocacy programme tagged, “Do the right thing: Fall in love with Nigeria” organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) today, in Abuja.
A statement by the Director of Press in the ministry, Mohammed Manga quoted Aregbesola as saying that “love for one’s country is undoubtedly a good trait that imbued people with a sense of loyalty and a desire to coexist peacefully with one another, regardless of religion, political affiliation and cultural background.”
He said further that in view of the on-going battle against the spate of insecurity, crime and criminality, as well as corruption in Nigeria, commitment of all the Security Agencies and Nigerians in particular towards Government’s efforts at driving off all sorts of negative influences that could damage the collective national agenda of the country, is imperative.
The Minister stressed that Nigeria is in dire need of positive values, peace, security, national integration and change of attitude at all levels, with a view to overcoming all threats to internal security so as to improve socio-economic development, in line with the policy thrust of the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration.
He urged Nigerians and the Security Agencies to continue to demonstrate high level of patriotism towards the country by ensuring that all enemies of the state stay away from the nation’s borders.
Aregbesola who unveiled the “Fall in Love with Nigeria” campaign banner made by the National Orientation Agency, commended the Security Agencies in the country for their doggedness towards curtailing the activities of the insurgents, armed bandits and other criminal elements, stressing that the damage would have been devastating without them.
In his remarks, the Director General, National Orientation Agency, Garba Abari noted that the promotion of peace and security is a task for every Nigerian, adding that all hands must be on deck in supporting government’s effort at sustaining peace and security in the country.
“As the nation waits with bated breath and great expectations for the celebration of our 60th independence anniversary, come October 1, 2020, it is indeed time to cast our minds back to our long journey to ultimate nationhood as a people from diverse cultural, social and political backgrounds and remain resolute in our March towards greatness,” Abari said.