By SundiataPOST, Abuja
More than 30 Nigerian celebrities from Nollywood, sports and the entertainment industry will soon undertake a nationwide tour to preach peace and unity across the country.
They said this would be part of their collective effort at spreading the message of peace in the minds of Nigerians, especially the youths on the need to leave in peace.
The group, operating under the aegis of Voice of Change Foundation of Nigeria (VCFN), an NGO, the celebrities comprise people like Emeka Ike, Genevieve Nnaji, Coach Stephen Keshi, Celestine Babayaro and Omotola Ekehinde.
A statement issued on Sunday in Abuja and signed by the group National Public Relations Officer, Mr Steph Nora-Okere, said that this became necessary due to the present challenges and threat to peaceful coexistence.
The statement said that the programme, which would commence before the end of the year would cover the six geopolitical zones, preaching the message of peace and the need to leave together.
“We decided to come together to preach the gospel of peace as it has become more necessary now than ever before.
“Every great country has passed through its moment of political, economic and religious tensions and had survived.
“The troubles our Nigeria is going through now with ethnic violence, militancy, the unrest in the North and the threat of disintegration, requires that things be quickly put in their right perspective.
“As celebrities and stakeholders, we have a lot to contribute to the peace building effort of government at all levels.
“This movement is not aligned to any party or individuals but we are committed to bringing our talents and leverage to help the country through this difficult moment.’’
The statement said that the group would deploy the abundance of talents in the areas of sports and the entertainment industry for the good of the country.
—————————————————————————— Anambra Poll: Groups hail election conduct in Onitsha (latest news) By NAN
The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Anambra State chapter, and some NGOs on Sunday, lauded the conduct of the Anambra Governorship Election in Onitsha and neighbouring communities on Saturday, describing the exercise as transparent.
Comrade Aloysius Attah, the Chairman of the CLO, Ndi-Igbo Voice and Alpha Liberation Organisation for a Better Society (ALOBEST), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Onitsha, that they were satisfied with the conduct of the election.
Attah noted that INEC and the security agencies were up and doing within Onitsha.
“If we are looking at the Onitsha contest, it seems INEC and the security agencies were exceptionally good and responsive to their duties.
“From our team, who monitored the election in Onitsha, they have it on record that it was transparent and the voting process did not allow any form of manipulation.
“Till now, we have not received a complaint from any quarter concerning all that happened in Onitsha,’’ he said.
Mr Abuoma Chuka, the Chairman of ALOBEST, described the election as peaceful and hitch-free.
“You can quote me anywhere; the election within Onitsha and some of its immediate environs was very very peaceful and successful.
“I believe that with the aggregate success of the polls in most polling booths, this time the result will definitely reflect the wish of the people of Onitsha,’’ Chuka, who voted at People’s Club polling unit along Onitsha-Owerri Road, said.
Similarly, Chief Uzoma Anunihu, the President of Ndi-Igbo Voice, said that the election was generally peaceful in Onitsha.
Anunihu, a resident of Zik Avenue, Fegge in Onitsha South LGAocal Government Area, said that some boys who tried to snatched ballot boxes in Zik Avenue were chased away by armed policemen.
“We experienced very friendly and peaceful conduct of the election in Fegge and Onitsha in general.
“And we hope it will be extended to Idemili North and South as well as in some parts of Nnewi, where we got unfavourable stories,’’ he added.
