By mercy Peter
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on Nigerians to strengthen national unity and mutual understanding, describing the country’s cultural and ethnic diversity as a major asset capable of driving national development.
Idris made the call on Friday, August 14, 2026, in Obudu, Cross River State, where he attended the wake-keep of the late Ukandi Placidus Ugar Ogar, alongside members of the bereaved family, friends and other dignitaries.
The Minister said Nigeria’s diversity should not be viewed as a source of division but as a strength that could be harnessed to foster greater cohesion, deepen national solidarity and promote economic development.
According to him, the presence of Nigerians from different backgrounds at the funeral gathering demonstrated the capacity of the country’s diverse population to come together in moments of grief, solidarity and shared humanity.
“What I have seen today is the diversity of Nigeria and how it can be further harnessed to promote unity in this country. Nigerians from all walks of life are Nigerians first. Therefore, we must celebrate them wherever they are,” Idris said.
The Minister urged citizens to look beyond ethnic, religious, cultural and other differences and focus on the values and aspirations that unite the country.
He said the ability of Nigerians to recognise their shared identity and common interests remained critical to building a more peaceful, cohesive and prosperous nation.
Idris was at the wake-keep with the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey; former Governor of the state, Senator Prof. Ben Ayade; Chief of Staff to the Cross River State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Ironbar; and the state Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, among other dignitaries.
The late Ukandi Placidus Ugar Ogar, who died at the age of 76, was an elder brother of Senator Ayade and Dr. Frank Ayade.
While commiserating with the family, Idris described the occasion as both a moment of mourning and an opportunity to reflect on the life and contributions of the deceased.
He said the late Ogar’s life provided an example of how individuals could contribute to bringing people together and strengthening relationships across different backgrounds.
“It is a moment of sorrow that he has passed on, but also a moment of gratitude that he lived a worthy life, one that helped bring people together,” the Minister said.
Idris further urged Nigerians to preserve the values of togetherness, tolerance and mutual respect, stressing that these remained essential to the country’s progress.
He said the country’s diverse cultures and traditions should be deliberately leveraged as resources for national development rather than allowed to become fault lines for division.
“We must strengthen our unity, uphold our shared values, and also see our diversity as a resource that can contribute meaningfully to the growth of our economy,” he said.
The Minister maintained that Nigeria’s greatest strength remained its people and their collective capacity to work together despite differences.
He therefore encouraged citizens to embrace their diverse identities while placing their Nigerian identity and the common good at the centre of national discourse.
Idris’s message comes amid continuing efforts to promote national cohesion and a stronger sense of shared identity among Nigerians, with the Federal Government consistently emphasising the role of unity, inclusiveness and mutual understanding in achieving sustainable national development.
He reiterated that Nigeria could derive greater value from its diversity when citizens and institutions worked collectively to promote peace, solidarity and shared prosperity.
The Minister expressed confidence that by strengthening national unity and harnessing the country’s cultural diversity, Nigerians could build a more cohesive society and unlock greater opportunities for economic and social development.
