ABUJA – Put Nigeria First initiative (PNF), an NGO, on Thursday said it would mobilise 54,000 Nigerians from the 774 local government, for the first ever Patriot March, to mark Nigeria’s 54th independence anniversary.
Mrs Ijeoma Nwafor, the National Coordinator of the initiative, made this known at a press conference organised in conjunction with the Nigeria Union of Local Govt. Employees (NULGE) in Abuja.
“As we are all aware, another first day of October is here, I am sure there is no one here who does not know the significance and importance of this date in the history of our great nation.
“Put Nigeria First and NULGE have come together in partnership to organise a Patriot March on Oct.1, 2014 in every local government area of the country.
“Put Nigeria First in conjunction with NULGE is using the atmosphere of the independence anniversary to mobilise 54,000 Nigerians drawn from the 774 LG for the first time ever patriot march.
“The march is organised to emphasise the need for a renewed spirit of patriotism as the driving force in our quest for a stronger and more robust Nigeria. “ [eap_ad_2] She said that the 54,000 figure was symbolic of the 54 years of independence stating that it was time for the citizens to rise up with a sense of purpose to the nation.
Nwafor said that whatever challenges the nation was facing, be it insurgency or corruption, it was time to come together in a patriotic resolve to build a greater Nigeria.
“As an organisation, we believe that whatever challenges we face as a nation, be it insurgency, corruption, tribalism, and other forms of social restiveness are not symbols of endtime for our nation.
“Rather they are opportunities for us to come together in a patriotic resolve to build an even greater Nigeria, “ she said.
She, however, urged Nigerians to join the patriot march on Oct.1 in re-awakening of the patriotic Nigerian spirit, noting that our diversity was our strength and pride.
The National President of NULGE, Comrade Ibrahim Abdulkadir, said they went into partnership with the NGO because they shared the same objective of true patriotism to Nigeria.
He said that NULGE was ready to carry the message to the people at the grassroots that whatever they do Nigeria should be put first to bring about unity and national coexistence.[eap_ad_3]