…As Top Nigerian Leaders Call for National Rebirth at Peace Summit
From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
A powerful coalition of Nigerian leaders including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, and Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu have called for a national rebirth to address Nigeria’s deep-rooted challenges of insecurity, disunity, and underdevelopment.
The call was made during a one-day National Peace Summit organised by the Nigeria Peace Summit Group at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Rear Admiral O.A. Bankole, representing the Chief of Defence Staff, warned that insurgency could persist for decades unless all citizens play an active role in nation-building.
“Nation-building is not the government’s job alone. If we do not approach it as a collective responsibility, we may still be battling insurgency 60 years from now,” he cautioned.
Representing the Vice President, Aliyu Bunu Sheriff, Special Assistant to the President on Export Expansion, stressed that peace and patriotism are essential ingredients for national growth.
“Peace is sine qua non for sustainable development,” he said. “For Nigeria to attain true peace, we need a national rebirth that renews our patriotism, love for one another, and commitment to productivity.”
In his remarks, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, represented by his Special Adviser on Policy Monitoring, Professor Muhammad Fagge, echoed this sentiment, emphasising that peace among citizens is the foundation of effective security.
“The best form of community policing starts with peaceful co-existence. Without it, no security architecture can function effectively,” he noted.
On his part, Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Idris Gobir, pointed to a lack of patriotism as the core of Nigeria’s struggles.
“The Nigerian project is failing because many Nigerians are not patriotic. National rebirth must begin with a renewed sense of duty and commitment to the country,” he said.
The convener of the summit, Bishop Timothy Terfa Cheren, underscored the urgent need for unity and long-term peace.
“This summit is about accelerating peace efforts across Nigeria’s regions. Our divisions have lingered too long,” he stated.
The summit closed with a collective agreement among participants that national unity, patriotism, and citizen involvement are non-negotiable for Nigeria’s future.