Mohammed Says Nigeria Will Remain One
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said Nigeria would continue to remain one despite its challenges.
Mohammed stated this Monday in Abuja during the opening of the ‘Nigeria at 60 Photo Exhibition” with the theme “60 Years of Our Togetherness.”
According to him, “Like other countries in the world, it is an incontrovertible fact that Nigeria, over the years, has gone through challenging times, but we must not miss the fact that its resolve to remain as one indivisible entity has remained unshaken.”
“The theme of the photo exhibition has been carefully coached to reflect on the unity of this great country in the past 60 years, despite its diverse cultures, traditions, practices, languages, and challenges.”
The Minister revealed that the ministry was using the opportunity provided by the Independence Anniversary celebration to plan a photo exhibition to deliver vital information and educate Nigerians, especially the youth that needs a re-awakening trip into the historical and unique heritage of the country and the secrets behind its unity in diversity.
“For those who did not witness Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, particularly the students, they can at least look at the photos of pre-independent Nigeria, the independence proper, post-independence era, leaders who fought for our independence; and have an idea of the struggle for freedom from colonialism and a mental picture of how the situation was then, which gives hope that whatever challenges we may be facing even at this time, we will surmount them and have a strong, united, peaceful and prosperous country,” he said.
The Minister added that the exhibition would capture six decades of Nigeria’s independence, footprints of Nigeria’s political leaders, and 60 years of the labour of the past heroes in ensuring the country’s unity and peace.
He stressed that the exhibition would tell Nigeria’s 60-year storey in pictorial form and deliver a photographic presentation of the nation’s icons, programmes for national integration such as the National Youth Service Corps programme, photos of inter-tribal marriages, creation of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; famous artists – both old and new, as well as the collective achievements in the area of sports which he said stand as a solid and unifying force for the country.
Other areas which the exhibition will capture include: ancient and modern fashion/attires/hairstyles, Nigerian cuisine, tourist attractions, festivals, as well as Nigerians in Diaspora and their achievements, he said.