Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,
gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja on Tuesday by
the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
He disclosed government’s plan to take the “Change Begins
With Me” Campaign to universities across the country, adding that Nigerian
students remain the critical mass of the public who can drive the national
re-orientation campaign to success.
“I think the biggest news you have given me today is your
readiness to work with us on the ‘Change Begins With Me’.
“I see ‘Change Begins With Me’ as the greatest legacy this
government can leave and it is not by accident that our campaign is largely
centered around students”, he said.
“We have about seven themes that concentrate only on
students. I remember very well about the one that says that ‘I will not sell my
body for marks’, which reflects the campaign on moral rebirth.
”We must change our ways of doing things starting from
punctuality, honesty, integrity, and industry.
“We have to change the way we do things in such a manner
that will benefit everybody. We cannot be doing the same thing over and over
again and expect a different result.”
While acknowledging NANS’ commendation of the Federal
Government for the rescue of 82 Chibok school girls, the Minister said even
though there are ongoing efforts to secure the release of the remaining girls,
the government is now working for the total restoration of peace and security
to the North East and other parts of the country.
“What is unique about the release of these 82 girls is that
it’s only a phase and we are already working towards the release of even more
girls
“But we have gone beyond looking at the release of these
girls, we are looking at total restoration of peace all over the North East and
by extension all over Nigeria”.
The Minister said in the area of economy, which was crippled
by the crash in crude oil prices and unbridled corruption, the Federal
Government has remained focused in fighting corruption and diversifying the
economy away from oil in order to insulate the country from the volatility of
crude oil prices.
He gave the assurance that because of the creative approach
adopted by the Buhari Administration to restore the economy, Nigeria will soon
march out of recession.
Earlier, the National President of NANS, Comrade Aruna
Kadiri, hailed the government for the rescue of the 82 Chibok girls.
“Let me appreciate this government for the victory recently
achieved talking about the 82 Chibok girls, it’s a laudable achievement.
“We want to use this opportunity to congratulate the Federal
Government and the Nigerian Military, the DSS, the Police, everybody that has
put in effort to make sure that we bring back our girls.
“We are saying this because Chibok girls are students and
they are under our offices,” he said.
Comrade Kadiri said NANS has resolved to partner with the
Federal Government in the national re-orientation campaign, tagged “Change
Begins With Me”, noting that students and ordinary Nigerians should be the ones
driving the campaign.
He also commended the Minister for working hard to bridge
the communication gap between the government and the people.
By Wale Odunsi
