By Egena Sunday Ode
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris has assured Migerians that the ministry under his leadership is set to restore to the consciousness of Nigerians, all the lost values and orientations.
He lamented that over time, the concepts of “nationhood and patriotism” had taken a flight from Nigerians, vowing that he was willing and eager to change the narrative going forward.
Idris said, indeed, the President had given him a marching order in that regard.
The Minister stated this on Wednesday in an interview with newsmen at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, behind closed-door.
“Well, of course, you know, that the belief in the concept of nationhood and patriotism has broken down in this country. This is not in doubt. We’re trying to rebuild that, to reconstruct that, as you say.
Mr. President has giving me a marching order to see that Nigerians believe in this country once again, we’re coming up with national discourse on orientation or reorientation. So that Nigerians can believe in their country.
“You know that people don’t believe even leaders that they themselves have elected. Flags are not flying anymore. You go to government overseas, you don’t even see the symbol of our collective existence, flying even in public buildings.
“We’re bringing that about, we are bringing back this concept of discipline that Nigerians should have. Patriotism. Belief in the nationhood that our founding fathers have told us so it is going to be a new Minister of Information and National Orientation, and national orientation is going to be at the center of it.”
On how he would push that new message and orientation on patriotism and discipline to the grassroots, the Information Minister said efforts were on top gear to revive all the offices of the National Orientation Agency in the 774 local governments for that purpose.
Also responding to a question on the suggestion by the National Press Council to register register all journalists as way of sanitising the profession, Idris said that was being looked into, but warned that freedom of the press comes with commensurate responsibility.
On how he would address the issue of media practitioners’ welfare, he said: “It is in the works. I have discussed that with Mr. President. He wants to see me come up with a roadmap for that we are going to work on that and in due course you will get to have definite answers.”
