Date Published: 01/12/10

Oni cautions Nigerians over negative publicity about the country

Ekiti State Governor, Engr Segun Oni has called on Nigerians to stop portraying in bad light, adding that the uncomplimentary remarks of Nigerians have done grievous damage to the image of the country and her citizens in the international community.

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the governor, Mr. Wale Ojo-Lanre, Governor Oni, while speaking during a thanksgiving service marking the 2110 Armed Forces and Remembrance Day Celebrations at the Life Fountain Cathedral of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Ado-Ekiti urged Nigerians to moderate their utterances by not blowing the few negative happenings   in the country out of proportion.

He attributed the frequent embarrassment meted out to Nigerians in foreign lands to the negative comments of Nigerians on their motherland.

 The Ekiti state helmsman admonished Nigerians to display patriotism and promote the positive image of the country at all times         

Oni expressed regret that the western world was treating Nigerians with disdain in spite of the enormous contributions of officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces to peace keeping operations across the world.

“It is rather unfortunate that the world seemed to have forgotten so soon the contributions of men of the Nigerian Armed forces in ensuring world peace in the two world wars, the Congo conflict of the early 1960s and the various conflicts in Lebanon, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Sudan.

“These heroic deeds of Nigeria that to save these countries from disintegration have not been properly acknowledged in the international circles. It is only the few things that go wrong in the country that are given prominence,” Oni said

The Governor, who paid glowing tribute to the members of the legion for the sacrifices they made in ensuring the unity of  Nigeria and contribution to world peace called on Nigerian to play a prominent role in the welfare of the ex-servicemen as well as  the dependants of their fallen colleague.     

In his sermon entitled   Introducing  the Lord of Hosts,  the Provincial  Pastor  of the  RCCG Ekiti Province 1 , Pastor Ola Adejubee  acknowledged the contributions of ex-servicemen to the unity of  Nigeria.