Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on Sunday urged Nigerians to focus more on building the country through promoting positive values to advance nation building.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu gave this charge in a statement, on the sideline of The Sun Awards in Lagos, where she co-chaired the event with the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje.
In a statement by Magnus Eze, Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said that celebrating Nigeria’s positive values would do the country more good than focus on negatives and shortcomings.
According to her, The Sun Awards have shown that there is much to celebrate about Nigeria’s unity.
She added that the Awards usually brought Nigerians from all walks of life together in unity, irrespective of ethnic and religious divides.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said, “This is what Nigerians should always celebrate.
“The organisation has been able to promote excellence and invariably encouraged a group of people that have made Nigeria proud in their own little ways.
“I urge everyone of us to always look inwardly like the organisers of this event, to identify and flaunt the best of Nigeria, instead of always finding faults and showcasing our not too good sides.
“By so doing, we shall all be good ambassadors of Nigeria and help in projecting the country positively.”
The minister described the event as historical, for Nigerians and non-Nigerians gathered together to celebrate the best the country offered.
She stated that ethnic and religious differences, as well as mundane considerations that divide the people were put aside.
“Instead, people are happy, throwing banters and identifying with their friends and associates who would be honoured at this auspicious occasion of The Sun Awards.
“This flagship event put together by one of Nigeria’s leading news media has for over two decades provided this platform of unity, cohesion and camaraderie for Nigerians.
“So, the Management and Staff of The Sun Publishing Limited deserve all the accolades, for sustaining this event these past years.
The minister commended The Sun media organisation for putting the programme together to celebrate and promote excellence, and encouraged a group of people that have made Nigeria proud in their own little ways.
“In the same manner, also join me to congratulate the 36 awardees in this year’s edition. We are really proud of them and that is why we are all gathered in solidarity with them.,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated
