The Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, on Thursday called for love and unity among Nigerians.
Its chairman, Mr Ajayi Adeleye, made the call in Ikeja, at the maiden cultural day event organised as part of activities to mark the union’s 2023 Press Week.
Journalists from different ethnic groups showcased their colourful cultural attires, dance, music and meals.
Different media houses dressed in their traditional clothings, exchanged meals as people moved freely to share with one another.
Ajayi said the union decided to go beyond the media rendezvous usually celebrated annually by adding glamour of culture to boost unity among journalists.
“This programme has come to promote unity of tribes in spite of our diversity.
“Everybody is happy wining and dining; there is food from various parts of the country. Everybody should be free to eat whatever he wants from any chapel; we are one family,” he said.
Ajayi urged the union to ensure continuity of the programme, while urging Nigerians in the Diaspora to join hands in developing the nation.
He said a new visionary government was in place and those in the diaspora should come back home with ideas and investments toward achieving the renewed hope agenda.
“As Nigerians, we should be our brother’s keeper, we should be united, we have no home than Nigeria,” he said.
He reeled out achievements of his administration, promising that by September, the union’s guest house in Somolu would be inaugurated.
High Chief Sunday Ossai, President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Lagos State also appealed for unity, saying Nigerians should not allow politics to cause division.
“I want to appeal that politics should not divide us. No matter what happens, politics should not divide us,” he said.
Ossai, who led the traditional breaking of kolanuts prayers and the Igbo cultural dance session, said elections were over and all parties should allow healing in the spirit of brotherhood.
The traditional leader, who was accompanied by Eze Uche Digba, the Eze Ndigbo, Ikeja said Nigerians needed to live in love and unity.
Other activities at the event included march past by various media, dance and singing competitions with cash rewards to winners.
The event had in attendance traditional leaders of some other ethnic groups and NUJ executives from Zone B led by the Vice President, South West, Mrs Ronke Shamo.
(NAN)