The National Orientation Agency, NOA, has admonished Nigerians to put the 2023 General Election behind them by shunning hatred, hate speech, ethnic and religious bigotry and embrace peace for the betterment of all.

At a Media Parley in Lagos on building National Cohesion and Peace in Nigeria, the Director General of NOA, Garba Abari said that the citizens should put ‘Nigeria First’ in all its doing as the country belong to everyone irrespective of tribe, culture, religion, political affiliations and interest.

It said that the Agency deem it necessary to engage with the fourth estate of realm around the country on building peace, stability and security, especially following the just concluded general election.

Abari said that meeting with Media Practitioners in Lagos was germane as the State is the hub of the Nigerian media and as have often been seen as the gatekeepers of public opinion in the nation.

He said that concern of the NOA is to fulfil part of its mandate in building people of peace, a cohesive nation and sensitize an important stakeholder, in which the Media plays a pivotal role in maintaining peace and stability of the nation.

Speaking further, the DG said one of the
challenges the country is facing is targeted at managing the diversity of a big nation like Nigeria.

He said the challenge however becomes more burdensome during the national election.

“We must commend ourselves as Nigerians because, the culture of violence which usually follow our elections has gradually begun to fade away. Infact before the elections, going by the tone of political engagements, you would think that the nation was on its brink.

“Some naysayers have gone to the extent of describing the election as a make or mar event of our country. More than one month after the election, we have remained resolute on the path of peace and stability.

“Let me say that the 2023 election will be recorded as one of the least violent elections in Nigeria. It is not because people were not provoked enough, but our people appear to have received well the gospel of non-violence as one of our nation’s social creed.

“It is however sacrosanct for us to shun violence, hate speech, hatred, political and religious bigotry for our nation to thrive.

“ It is not unusual that some will feel dissatisfied after any election. This is so because, in the case of electoral contest for the position of President, only one candidate can win at a time.

“Our current situation where more than one political party is claiming victory holds ominous signs for the polity if not delicately managed.

“ As media practitioners, please do not magnify the political narratives that divide our country and our people. Democracy is about the contest of ideas and was never meant to produce violent outcomes”, NOA DG stated.