Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has stated his firm belief that rather than disintegrate, Nigeria would emerge from its current security and social challenges stronger and more united.

He spoke when members of CITAR, French word for roundtable, a non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to dialogue, paid him a visit and conferred him with an award.

The award is in recognition of the FCT Minister’s dogged commitment to the development, unity and peace of the Nigerian federation. The group was led by a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mohammed Alfa Belgore who presented the Minister with the award.

Commenting on the spate of crises in some states, Senator Bala Mohammed traced their roots to misconceptions and primordial sentiments. He said that having been privileged to be a member of the Presidential Committee on Security Challenges in the North-East zone, chaired by Ambassador Usman Gaji Galtimari, he has been able to understand the nature of the current security challenges better.

Senator Bala Mohammed therefore charged CITAR to assist in removing the sentiments and the misconceptions wherever they exist. According to the Minister nobody wants Nigeria to disintegrate because we all benefit from the country and share in the common heritage.

The FCT Minister said that organizations like CITAR due to the calibre of their membership could do a lot to bring the country together at a time like this.

Senator Bala Mohammed expressed his appreciation to CITAR for recognizing his contribution to national development while describing the gesture as good and motivational.

Earlier in his remark, the leader of the delegation and a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mohammed Alfa Belgore pointed out that CITAR was committed to peace and unity of the country through dialogue.

He said the aim of some unpatriotic elements fanning the embers of crisis in parts of the country was to cause disharmony between Muslims and Christians and ultimately cause Nigeria to split.  He stated that the ideals of the unity, development and peace of the country which the FCT Minister stands for rhymes with the aims and objectives of CITAR, hence the presentation of an award to him.

In his introductory remark, the National Coordinator of CITAR, Mallam Muhammed Lawal explained that the organization which started three years ago has so far held three town hall meetings.  The next town hall meeting, according to him will be chaired by a former Canadian Prime Minister, Mr. Joe Clarke.

Others present at the event include former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Paschal Bafyau, Hon. Tijanni Hamisu Kano, Mallam Muhammad Abdulrahman, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume and the Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in FCT, Alhaji Sule Alhassan Gwagwa among others.