Chief Olusegun Runsewe, the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), has urged politicians to promote peaceful existence and unity of the country.
Runsewe, who gave the advice on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said that as the general elections come nearer, politicians should play the game peacefully.
“Without a peaceful environment, there is nothing we can achieve. In fact, investors will not come to us. We believe strongly in building peace towards the general elections.
“Building culture of peace towards Nigeria’s elections is part of our programmes. We went as well as doing calendars in our own little contribution towards building a culture of peaceful elections.
“I decide to bring it out for you so that you can see it and appreciate that we are not just speaking but at least showing the good face of what we are doing.’’
The director-general appealed to Nigerians to tolerate and appreciate the cultural values of one another.
“We need to appreciate each other cultural values because election is not a do or die affairs.
“We should have conscience to know that no one single blood drop is necessary to make Nigeria a great nation.
“I am appealing to all our politicians to play the game peacefully so that we can have a story to tell for a better Nigeria.
“From our part, we are doing our own little contributions of building culture of peace in having a very successful election.
He urged Nigerians to be patient and tolerate each other.
”I will use a small proverb saying that there is a snake in front of the house and the women are waiting for the men to kill the snake.
“That is the message I want to send to Nigerians that if the women can kill the snake, we will reserve the men for the lion when it eventually comes.
“So, we must appreciate that every one of us has a role to play to make Nigeria great again,’’ director-general said.
According to him, the issue of hate speech can also be addressed if Nigerians appreciate the cultural values of one another.
Runsewe said, “I will tell you today, you invite an Hausa man to your house and he says please before you enter my house, you should remove your shoes outside and you say he is local, that is his belief.
“You invite Igbo man, and he tells you, bring collar, we have to put libation. That is his belief.
“You invite Yoruba person. He wants to wash his hands and eat hot Amala. You say he is a local man. That is his belief. We must tolerate each other cultural values.’’
Runsewe said that NCAC was doing everything possible to enlighten, inform, and educate Nigerians culturally why Nigerians need to live in harmony and peace. (NAN)
