Notable Nigerians across all strata of life have been selected to speak at the upcoming Citizens Summit organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR in collaboration with over 70 organisations.
This comes as the institute expresses worry that the ongoing strike by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU could serious affect the country’s future and the education of its younger generations, describing the lingering strike as embarrassing.
President and Chairman of Council of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo spoke at a press conference on Monday to mark the beginning of the Citizens Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security, scheduled to hold next week Tuesday, 23rd and Wednesday 24th, August, 2022 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
He hinted that the Summit is a product of research conducted by the Governing Council of the Institute to identify factors responsible for what it called “current sad and unfortunate developments in our country”.
According to Mallam Sirajo, the outcome of its research revealed a widening trust deficit at three levels between government and the citizens, between and among the various ethnic and sociology cultural groups, and generally among the citizens, which have weakened the fabrics holding the country together as a people.
He said, “The research also revealed a collapse of core national values, citizens despondency and apathy on issues of national development. It was therefore, the need to address the identified challenges that birthed the idea of the programme named “Citizens Summit for National Integration, Peace andSecurity, a programme, carefully designed to promote national cohesion, peaceful co-existence among citizens, rebuild trust, and lay solid foundation for a new and prosperous Nigeria.
“Today, it is a common knowledge that relationships amongst our people are not what they used to be; mutual suspicion and antagonism seem to have taken over the place of our once beautiful and relatively peaceful coexistence that was least influenced by ethno-religious and other primordial differences.
“Realising that at the core of the mandate of the Public Relations profession is the birthing and sustenance of mutually beneficial relationships (and mending them where they crack or even break down) the Institute came to the conclusion that our beloved country, Nigeria, needs more than a shot in the arm in this regard.
“No nation thrives and progresses in an atmosphere of distrust. The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) recognizes trust as a key element in nation-building and the role of dialogue in societal well-being and development, and has decided to take up the challenge of rebuilding the broken trust through reopening channels of effective dialogue and development-oriented conversation. It is for this reason that we chose the theme of the Summit to be, Reopen Conversation, Rebuild Trust.”
While expressing worry over the growing insecurity in Nigeria, NIPR called on both state and non-state actors to intensify collaborations and redouble efforts at federal, state, and local levels towards ensuring effective protection and security of lives and property Nigerians.
Mallam Mukhtar added, “Also, the Institute is greatly worried over the prolonged ASUU strike, which has affected the academic calendar of our children. There is no gainsaying the fact that we can only assure the future of the country by ensuring an assured future for its future leaders.
“This cannot be brought about without consciously and deliberately preparing them for the challenges ahead. A solid educational foundation is therefore absolutely a necessary first step towards achieving that. We must therefore quickly return to the path of giving education of our children the urgency and importance that it more than deserves.
“Government should as a matter of urgency, engage more determinedly with the concerned unions to resolve the lingering and embarrassing strike and should be seen to be doing that.’
The Summit which will be chaired by Dr. Mrs. Dere Awosika, Chairman, Access Bank will have as speakers, social media influencer, Japhet Omojuwa, former Minister Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbe, former chairman Nigeria Economic Summit, Prof. Anya O. Anya and Barr. Mrs. Adepeju Jaiyeoba.
It is expected to have two plenaries and 2 syndicates, across 14 thematic areas.
Mallam Mukhtar expressed hope that the summit will come up with creative ideas, sustainable solutions, and implementable outcomes.
To this end, he said NIPR President, has engaged core professionals to document the entire summit processes and ensure that, there will be a comprehensive and implementable report of the summit.
He said one of the major outcomes is the initiation of a “Citizens Charter”, with focus on national reconciliation, integration, and development.
