Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has raised concerns that Nigeria was being faced with a general lack of belief in government by its citizens.
He also expressed dissatisfaction over the disturbing level of violence and mutual suspicion among the ethnic groups within its borders.
Saraki made this known on Monday at a Public Hearing on National Orientation Agency (NOA) Amendment Bill, organised by Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation in Abuja.
Saraki, represented by Sen. Philip Aduda said: “It is disturbing to note that there is a general lack of belief in government by the citizens.
“We cannot continue in this direction if we truly want to achieve greatness as a nation.
“The NOA is the body tasked with communicating government policies, staying abreast of public opinion and promoting patriotism and national development.”
Saraki noted that the strength of Nigeria with a population of nearly 200 million lay in its diversity.
“If we could be more tolerant of our differences and see ourselves as brothers and sisters, it will be difficult to rise against one another,” he said.
He further explained that the Bill sought to provide a framework for the activities of Global Initiative for Harmony in Nigeria Corps under the supervision of the Director-General of NOA.
The President of the Senate stated that Nigeria would be one of the best places in the world when its people became instruments and promoters of peaceful coexistence.
In his remarks, Chairman of the committee, Sen. Suleiman Adokwe, said the corps was more or less a voluntary organisation that sought to create orderliness in the society.
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