Jonathan, Gowon, Abubakar, Sultan, Ooni, Dangote, Others for Bridge Builders Award

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Abdulsalam Abubakar, and Yakubu Gown, Aliko Dangote, former Minister of Eduction, Obiageli Exekwesili, former Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, Sultan of Sokoto, Muhaammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi are among other prominent Nigerians that would be awarded the Heal the land/Bridge builders award.

The award coming up on 15th November at Sheraton Hotels ‎in Abuja, is being organised by Love the World Initiative in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA), aimed at celebrating individuals and States that have continued to promote peace and religious tolerance in their area of endeavour.

Addressing the press yesterday in Abuja, the founder of the Initiative, Ms. Josephine Abraham Anumbar said the ‘Heal the Land project’ sought to remedy the undeniable feeling of insecurity, discontent and hopelessness that has resulted in violence, destruction of lives, property, infrastructure, as well as kaxj of religious and ethnic tolerance.

She stated: “our nation has been badly fractured along religious and ethnic lines making it difficult for us to work together as one for corporate growth and prosperity.

“This program aims to appeal to the conscience of every Nigerian irrespective of tribe, religion, political affiliation and status to change from selfishness to selflessness, and contribute‎ from there different spheres of influence to the progress of Nigeria, “Anumba added.

The founder ‎explained that the bridge builders awards on the other hand would be given to individual and States who have distinguished themselves in the promotion of peaceful co-existence, religious tolerance and hospitality across the nation.

However, the Director General of NOA‎, Mr. Garba Abari said nothing would work in this country unless there was a change in the way things were being done to a way it should be done.

The DG who was represented by the Director of Orientation and Behaviour Modification, Mr. Musa Chantu stressed that the agency gave support to the project because it aimed at projecting the good values in people, noting that nobody could be perfect as human being but you get to see what is good in a person and bring it out for the coming generation to emulate and learn.

According to Abari, “we want to take away our attention from the negative scenario about our country to something that is positive and wanting a situation where we reward the good that is in us so that we can truly get the change that we desire.

He noted that, “for us to change as a nation from where we are to where we want to be, because virtually nothing will work in this country unless we change some of the things we used to do to what should be done as a nation.”

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