By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has enjoined Nigerians to unite against forces of ethnic and religious biases that are bent on dividing the country.
He made the plea in Abuja on Saturday at the launch of a book titled “Random Nigerianna” authored by Halima Dalhatu, Special adviser to the immediate past Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed.
Runsewe who was the chairman of the occasion, noted that “Nigeria has suffered and lost so much due to ethnic and religious sentiments, hence the need for a gradual re-orientation on the need to gradually put sentiments aside and work together for national growth and development,”
Speaking on the book, Random Nigerianna, he said it serves as a wake up on the unity and diversity of the country and why the youths who are pillars of development can adopt strategic approach to leadership.
“Random Nigerianna preaches our unity in diversity and serves as a motivation to spur our youths to greatness. As part of our mandate in the agency, we will ensure that the book is taken to all cultural establishments across the 36 states of the country as a way of preaching our unity,”
In her remarks, the former Finance Minister commended the author for her resilience in combining her tight work schedule to write the book and wondered, “how did you do it?”
Earlier speaking, the author, Halima Dalhatu said the 114 page book which is the first of her publication “Was conceived out of the desire to change the narrative about Nigeria and it’s huge diversity and preaching the gospel of unity amongst diverse ethnic groups and religion”.
She further pointed out that writing the book enabled her to discover herself as well as “develop the habit of reading to open up the mind”.
About N30m was realised at the book launch, with the highest donation coming from the chief launcher, Alhaji A.A. Abdulkadir, who was the Chairman of the occasion. READ ALSO:
- BREAKING: Makinde approves Prince Abimbola Owoade as new Alaafin of Oyo
- Court approves 60-day detention for suspected terrorists planning Boko Haram cell in Osun
- AGF embarks on aggressive revenue drives to fund personnel costs
- Sacked Kano SSG threatens to expose betrayals
- Gov. Bala Mohammed is Playing Irresponsible Politics – Sunday Dare
Otunba Runsewe purchaed 200 copies for his organisation besides his personal donations. Special guests of honour, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, her husband, Architect Shamsuna Ahmed as well Abdulkarim Baba of Spine and Label Books Ltd also supported the book launch.
The book was reviewed by Mr Reginald Ihebuzor, Prof Amirikpa Oyigbenu and Hajiya Lantana Ahmed.
