The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) has urged Nigerians to embrace peace and jettison all tribal, religious and political sentiments.
Its Director-General, Ms Oluwabunmi Amao, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos, said it was important to embrace peace at this stage of national development.
Amao said as Nigerians continued to mark the 62nd independence anniversary, everyone must reassess themselves on their contributions to national peace and harmony.
She advised Nigerians to make national peace their hallmark and always champion this cause at all times.
“It is the 62nd independence anniversary of our great nation, Nigerians are advised to ignore all forms of religious, political and tribal sentiments which has pulled us apart over the years.
“We should see one another as brothers and sisters, our peace should be paramount to us as a nation,” she said.
Amao noted that without conscious efforts to imbibe peaceful co-existence and brotherly love, the nation would continue to suffer underdevelopment.
She said individuals regardless of their tribe should engage in cultural integration and diplomacy which would accelerate the development process of the nation.
“An Igbo man should consciously take cuisines from the Hausa and Yoruba ethnic group and vice versa; same is applicable to languages, we all should aspire to be multi-lingua, this has lots of benefits for individuals and the nation in general.
“Christians should see the Muslims as good neighbours and brothers, we should not give room for religious, political and tribal discord among us,” she said.
According to Amao, CBAAC has been working tirelessly in ensuring that the nation remains united with different programmes designed for such purpose.
She said one of the programmes was the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of FESTAC”77, slated to hold from Dec. 5 to Dec. 11, in Abuja.
She explained that the festival would attract different nations across the globe exhibiting their cultures.
She said this would create more understanding among citizens across nations, thereby fostering peace and harmony.