Sunday Dare urges youths to embrace patriotism, responsible leadership

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, has urged Nigerians, especially young people, to embrace patriotism, integrity, humanitarian values and responsible leadership to help build a peaceful and prosperous country.

Dare made the call while delivering a lecture titled “Peace, Leadership and Nation Building” at Northwest University, Kano, where he spoke about Nigeria’s challenges and the responsibility of citizens to shape the country’s future.

The lecture was organised by the Faculty of Law in collaboration with the International Humanitarian Law Society of Nigeria and attended by academics, students, public figures and other stakeholders, including the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Dare said Nigeria’s current challenges should not lead citizens to lose faith in the country, insisting that the nation could still build strong institutions and achieve sustainable peace.

“Nigeria is not a lost cause. Africa is not a condemned enterprise. Sustainable peace is not a utopian fantasy,” he said.

The presidential aide said patriotism should remain central to efforts to strengthen national unity and promote peace.

Using the African proverb, “Any river that forgets its source eventually dries up,” Dare warned against ethnic divisions, religious intolerance, regional rivalry, hate and cynicism.

He described Nigeria as an unfinished project that requires collective effort rather than abandonment.

“When you love your country, you do not abandon her when she stumbles; you stand up, stretch forth your hands, and lift her up,” he said.