A group, the National Patriots Summit, has revealed plans to mobilise one million Nigerians from different states across the country for the purpose of contributing their quota to national development.
Following recent cases of insecurity, unemployment and social vices, the group implored patriotic Nigerians to come together and think you of the box; in order to curb the menace.
While briefing journalists in Abuja, a popular gospel artiste and Convener of the National Patriots Summit, Ambassador Phil Roberts, said that stakeholders will meet on December 9 to chart the way forward, expressing optimism that the summit will give birth to a Nigeria devoid of rancour, ethnicity and parochial interests.
Ambassador Roberts said that December 9, every year, will be remarkable in the lives of Nigerians as world patriotic day and that the National Patriot Summit will bridge the gap between the government and the people.
He said: “There has been a rise in activities that are detrimental to the purpose of the existence of our nation. The negative activities have lured youths into unpatriotic acts. The issues of insecurity, rise in food products, utility bills, petroleum products have revealed the gap between the government and the governed.
“The Vice President of Nigeria, President Yemi Osinbanjo, has been at the forefront of the campaign for youths to be more patriotic by volunteering to serve the country in various capacities. He has stirred up the right energies in young Nigerians. Based on his wealth of knowledge, the Elders Council of the project has proposed for him to be the special guest at the event.”
Also speaking, representative of the DG National Orientation Agency (NOA), Paul Odey, decried increasing cases of fake news and charged media practitioners to curb hate speech by publishing only authentic and factual information for public consumption.
“People do not trust themselves and the government again. We should try and stop fake news and hate speech in society. Spreading news that we are not sure of the source is very detrimental to the image of the country,” he said.