At NIPR summit, Sanwo-Olu, Anya, Oloja, others canvass peace, inclusion

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a renowned professor of Biology, Anya O. Anya, and Managing Director, The Guardian, Martins Oloja, were among prominent personalities at the South West Citizens’ Summit for National Integration, Peace and National Security in Lagos yesterday.

Organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the participants expressed concern over the perversion of justice in the country, insisting that citizens must trust the judicial system to guarantee genuine national integration.

They argued that in rethinking Nigeria, access to social justice and accountability is key, stressing: “Our problems also revolve around poor governance, a major factor in bringing peace and stability.”

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, admitted that conflicts must come. But they must be resolved through dialogue, not violence. According to him, “We must dialogue in conflict resolution. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Citizens also have a duty or responsibility to be law-abiding. The popular belief is that if Nigeria gets it right, the black man will get it right.”

Prof. Anya said: “A new Nigeria is arising. We need to know what our opportunities are, even in the midst of our challenges. If China could do it, Nigeria can also do it. We must have shared values, whether we are in the North, East, West or South of the country. It is when you have shared values that you build relationships.”

Oloja, on his part, stressed the need to engage more stakeholders in the conversation, adding that leaders must also be involved in managing information.

Ambrose Okoh, who represented Channels TV CEO, John Momoh, said the media should be conscious of what they report, so they don’t create more tension.

NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Mukhtar Zubairu Sirajo, noted: “We cannot fold our arms and allow things to continue this way. We have allowed communication to break down. Our diversity is our strength but it has turned into a sense of curse; hence the urgent need for the summit.”

Keynote speaker, Olufemi Awoyemi, regretted the absence of elite consensus on how to move Nigeria forward, saying there is no construct between the government and the governed.

Professor of Mass Communication, Ralph Akinfeleye, said national integration would be unattainable if there is no peace. He observed that Nigeria is practicing adulterated democracy, insisting there is the need for decentralisation.