Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku has said that Nigeria has remained in the forefront of promoting peace and defending the interest of the Africa, despite the numerous challenges confronting the development of the nation. He stated this in Abuja at the launch of a book entitled "Love This Nation Nigeria", written by the Special Assistant to the President on Presidential Matters, Mr. Victor Itumo.
Mr. Maku said, since the emergence of Nigeria as a nation, it played crucial role in the liberation of the Southern African nations, especially the struggle against settler colonialism and
enforcement of peace in parts of Africa as well as the promotion of democratic governance.
"This country called Nigeria is not for us sitting in this hall, it is for black people all over the world and as I go to different countries, they continue to pray for Nigeria because they know that if Nigeria is not there, Africans are finished. If Nigeria was not there, what would have happened to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique, Namibia. All these countries began to move to independence when Nigeria stood up and said no to settler colonialism", he said.
Mr. Maku therefore, urged Nigerians to show more commitment and patriotism as the nation repositions itself to take its rightful place in the comity of nations.
He called on the people to imbibe the culture of writing books to correct some of the historical misconceptions about the nation and Africa in general.
Mr. Maku decried how the elite is using religion and ethnicity to divide the country in the pursuit of their personal political ambitions and urged Nigerians to always defend the unity of
the country despite the difference in tribe and religion because of the significance of Nigeria to Africa and the world at large.
The Minister assured the people that President Goodluck Jonathan is addressing the challenges confronting the nation through policy reforms which have begun to yield results in key sectors like power, transportation, and agriculture among others.
In his address, the Chief of Staff to the President, Mike Oghiadome, who was represented by Hajia Aisha Waziri, a Senior Special Assistant to the President, urged Nigerians to work harder for the unity and corporate existence of the country.
He said, because of President Jonathan's love for Nigeria, he is determined to transform the nation and return it to the path of sustainable development and economic growth.
The book reviewer, Senator Ben Obi said the book is an effort to educate Nigerians about the importance of the nation and promote service with zeal and patriotism among Nigerians for the nation to realize its greatness.
The Author of the book and Special Assistant to the President on Presidential Matters, Mr. Victor Itumo said he was motivated to write the book in order to inspire love for the nation amongst Nigerians.
Source: Show more commitment and patriotism for our country to take its rightful place in the comity of nations – Maku tells Nigerians (http://www.nigeria.gov.ng/2012-10-29-11-09-25/news/581-show-more-commitment-and-patriotism-for-our-country-to-take-its-rightful-place-in-the-comity-of-nations-maku-tells-nigerians)