By Emmanuel Elebeke
Federal Ministry of tourism says it has perfected plans to raise a new unity symbol in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
According to the ministry, the new symbol will be raised by President Muhammadu Buhari and is designed to complement the existing national coat of arms as a status symbol for Nigerian unity and peace.

Speaking on the development on Tuesday during a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of information, the project Coordinator from the ministry of tourism, David Ibrahim explained that the image is a picture of a Nigerian baby breaking out of its shell.

He said over 500 Nigerians have been gathered to write on the image.
According to him, raising the unity portrait calls for celebration of human structure than infrastructure.
‘‘The image is a picture of a Nigerian baby breaking out of its shell. In the process of breaking out, there are many turns trying to stampede the child but in the midst of all theses, it is pushing out all the odds.

‘‘It is a symbol of Nigeria reproducing itself, because Nigeria has come to a period of rebirth where an internal image is hidden.’’

According to him, beginning from tomorrow proven Nigerian artists from all the states of the federation and FCT will passionately join hands with President Buhari in painting and projecting the new unity symbol.

Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Foasade Yemi-Esan, said the impact of the piece of art will be incredible in the mind of Nigerians.

While congratulating the initiators, the Permanent Secretary said she was impressed that young people could come up with such an impressive project to for the unity of the nation.

She also expressed delight at the inventiveness of the project and said that the ministry was encouraged to be part of it and stressed the need to inculcate the importance of Nigeria’s unity among the young people.

‘‘The resilience of Nigerian people is also expressed in the portrait because as Nigerians, we are known to struggle for what we want. Federal Ministry of Information will be ready to be part of this project and will her part in information dissemination,’’ she added.

She however, urged the organizers to start the propagation from schools since children are more receptive to learning than adults.