NIPR expresses worry over citizens relationship with leaders
National Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), has expressed concern over the existing love lost between Nigerians and leaders, adding that it is worsening.
Speaking during the North East citizens summit for National Integration, Peace and Security, President of NIPR Mukhtar Sirajo, said the existing relationship is a far cry from the initial ways activities of governance were conducted.
He noted that the the North East summit which is the fourth in the number of dialogues, organised by the organisation in an attempt to seek lasting peace and development.
Sirajo said, “We are worried about the deteriorating relationship between the leaders and the led and between Nigerians as a whole. You will agree with me that our relationships in the past used to be better. We used to consider one another as one we were blind to issues of ethnicity tribalism. As well as religious differences.
“Now we ask unnecessary questions about the religion a person practices or where he is from. This has done alot of damage to our reputation and cohesion as an institute core whose mandate is relationship building we needed to come together to see what we can offer by providing platform for Nigerians to look for solutions to these problems.”
While proffering solutions to the issues encumbering the smooth relationship of leaders and the led, Sirajo advised that there should be consistent dialogue and a meeting point.
“You can’t move forward as a unit when there is no trust between us. There is need to engage one another in communication, dialogue. Let’s between to talk with one another and the leaders should listen to the people while the led respects the leaders. Let there be a convergence of opinions. So that when the downtrodden speak they (leaders) will listen and do what will win our confidence” Sirajo added.
Also speaking, Former Vice Chancellor of Federal University Gashua Yobe State, Prof. Andrew Haruna said there was a need for understanding through dialogue, adding that there is an urgent for understanding.
He noted that the recipe for the violent crimes in the region would be education, stressing that ignorance has ripple effect on the any society.
“My recipe is education, when we empower our children with education they will know what to do. There is also a need to inculcate the nature of love, teach peace rather than hate, teach inclusiveness rather than exclusiveness,” Haruna said.
On his part, Zonal Coordinator Police Community Relations Committee Kabiru Mohammad noted that leaders are not aliens but products of the society.
Muhammad stressed that what was required is total change, revealing that equity and equality are essential in sustaining peace.
“Wherever leaders exhibit is from us that is why we have to imbibe in change begins with me, everyone of us needs to change towards positive approach to the Nation. Equity and Equality are elements to justice wherever there is no unity, there is no equality,” Muhammad said.
