Nigeria is not a destination for genocide but rather an accommodating paradise for all Nigerians, despite political and religious backgrounds, says Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris.

Mr Idris’ remarks come days after U.S. lawmaker Jim Risch raised the alarm over the killing of Christians in Nigeria to settle political scores, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s government of ignoring the bloodshed.

Mr Risch joined other U.S. lawmakers raising the alarm over Christians’ persecution in Nigeria. Riley M. Moore, a U.S. House of Representatives member, had also accused Mr Tinubu’s government of “downplaying” the violent massacre of 7,000 Christians by Islamic Jihadists.

However, Mr Idris said the narration of genocide in Nigeria is false and is aimed at “dividing Nigeria and instigating hatred, which will not do us any good as a country.”

Mr Idris said this in his address at the quarterly strategy meeting of the Progressive Governors Forum with Commissioners of Information from APC-governed states.

The theme of the meeting is “FGN Synergy 2025: One message, one future.”

“Such misinformation is worse than anything you can think of,” said the minister. “Nigerians need to stand together to shut down such evil narration that will not bring us unity and prosperity.”

“We must have the capacity to deal with such bias and wrong narration, not only in the media within the country, but also at the international level too.

“Nigerians have come a long way and are bound by shared values. Nothing should instigate us to hate each other,” Mr Idris said.

He urged the commissioners of information not to rely on carriers of fake news and misinformation but to strive for endeavours that would enhance the unity and prosperity of Nigeria. 

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria had also confirmed the killing of Christians by jihadists in Nigeria, calling for international support to tackle the menace.
(NAN)