By Emmanuel Elebeke
ABUJA – The Federal government is set to launch a book on national unity in honour of  a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF,  Aliyu Mohammed in Abuja.

Inaugurating the 23-man Central Organising Committee, yesterday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on political Matters, Gideon Samani said the launch of Unity Book  was to encourage young people to always learn to uphold those values that bind us together rather than concentrate on the ones that divide us.

He said the book launch would be used as a window to reawaken the consciousness of Nigerians on the need to unite together for peace and unity of the country against the divisive tendencies that have enveloped the nation in recent times as demonstrated by the late SGF, who demonstrated patriotism and commitment to public service as a detribalized Nigerian.

According to him, the book launch is expected to discourage the ongoing and widespread sectarian agitation across the country and refocus Nigerians for a peaceful, just, united and prosperous country.

He said:‘‘We are at a point in our nation’s history that patriots and men of goodwill must stand up for the good of the nation, raise their clear voices of reason and hope to the nation.

‘‘This administration has the corporate responsibility to keep Nigeria united for her to blossom in all ramifications. We cannot afford to fold our arms and expect evil things to end abruptly or naturally sort themselves out.

‘‘We aim to create an effective nationalistic window that is capable of dousing primordial agitations and potentials socio-cultural violence in all sections and sectors of our national life,’’ he added.

He recalled that frenzied activities and postulations like we currently witness today led the country to a civil war about half a century ago called for caution.

With the heightened sudden agitations,  free flow and spread of incisive /hate doctrines, the quit notice and various threats of ethnic-related hostilities, Samani said it had become imperative to  mobilize well-meaning Nigerians and the federal government to execute the event in the interest of peace.

He said members of the committee were thoughtfully and carefully selected based on the pedigree and in line with the set objective of keeping Nigeria united.

The launch, he said will entail invitations to eminent Nigerians including all former heads of state, presidents, politicians, ethnic/traditional leaders as well as religious leaders from all the geopolitical zones of the country, devoid of party affiliation to come together as a pragmatic mark of unity.

He charged the committee to work hard and make the book launch succeed in a way that Nigeria will have comprehensive peace of mind and sense of security wherever they reside within the territorial borers of the country  and also boost investors confidence on the socio-economic potentials of the nation.

In his acceptance speech on behalf of other committee members, the chairman of the committee, Prof. Richard King promised to use the opportunity given to them to bring Nigerians together and discourage divisive tendencies.

‘‘We are all aware of the Nigerian civil war and the consequences. We see Mohammed as a detribalized Nigerians. We will not use this platform for politics but use it to speak about the unity of Nigeria.

We will also use the best of our intellectual ability to ensure the success of the book launch,’’ he said.

Also speaking, one of the members of the committee, Mr. Tom Adaba said, ‘‘what is going on in the country is not acceptable and should be checked.’’