By Mohammed Mohammed
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Monday called on security agencies not to give up the fight against terrorism, armed banditry, crimes and criminality in the country.
He urged them to embrace the spirit of patriotism, commitment and love for fatherland in order to ensure a peaceful nation.
The minister made the disclosure at a patriotism advocacy programme tagged, “Do the right thing: Fall in love with Nigeria” organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Abuja.
In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, in the Ministry, Mr. Mohammed Manga, he quoted the minister as saying that love for one’s country is “undoubtedly a good trait that imbued people with a sense of loyalty and a desire to co-exist peacefully with one another, regardless of religion, political affiliation and cultural background.
He said further that in view of the on-going battle against the spate of insecurity, crime and criminality, as well as corruption in Nigeria, commitment of all the security agencies and Nigerians in particular towards government’s efforts at driving off all sorts of negative influences that could damage the collective national agenda of the country, is imperative.
The Minister stressed that Nigeria is in dire need of positive values, peace, security, national integration and change of attitude at all levels, with a view to overcoming all threats to internal security so as to improve socio-economic development.
He urged Nigerians and the security agencies to continue to demonstrate high level of patriotism towards the country by ensuring that all enemies of the state stay away from the nation’s borders.
Aregbesola who unveiled the “Fall in Love with Nigeria” campaign banner made by NOA commended the security agencies for their doggedness towards curtailing the activities of the insurgents, armed bandits and other criminal elements, stressing that the damage would have been devastating without them.
In his remarks, the Director General, NOA, Mr. Garba Abari, noted that the promotion of peace and security is a task for every Nigerian, adding that all hands must be on deck in supporting government’s effort at sustaining peace and security in the country.