Information Minister Idris says Nigeria will address US genocide claims diplomatically, stressing terrorism affects all faiths and urging unity.

The Federal Government has said that the genocide debacle with the United States will be resolved through diplomatic channels.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris said this on Thursday at the 50th Anniversary of Angola, stating that the government will continue to explain the true situation of things in the country.

Idris while acknowledging that there are challenges in the country, insisted that the terrorist attacks are not targeted at one religious group.

He noted that both Christians and Muslims are victims of terrorists, arguing that the narrative about killings of Christians held by the U.S government is not one that would be resolved through press briefings.

The Minister revealed that: ?We are trying as much as possible to make sure that this is resolved through diplomatic channels.?

He said that: ?You all know how some people are helping to shape the narrative of who we are as a country.

?We know who we are. We know what Nigeria is.

?I could relate to that. So to think about what is happening now, I think some people are trying to shape the narrative for us.

The truth is that yes, we have security challenges in our country. Yes, we have Christian skills. No doubt about that.

?Yes, we also have Muslim skills. We have security challenges. All of us are aware of that.

?But to characterise Nigeria as a country that does not erase religious freedom, I think it?s wrong. We will continue to say that. We will continue to dig in.?

He expressed joy with the statements made by some partners and regional groups.

?I?m glad the statements we are hearing from the Economic Community of West African Commission, from the African Union, and the solidarity of the European Union, and the solidarity that everyone is showing together at this challenging time and when some narratives that we know are not really very correct about who we are as Nigerians.?

As I was sitting here I am receiving torrents of information still, fresh information coming out of the U.S. on this matter. And I?ve been bombarded by foreign journalists to respond to some of them. ?We are trying as much as possible to make sure that this is resolved through diplomatic channels.

?But we have a duty to explain who we are as a country. We have a duty to also call on all Nigerians to come together, to think together.

?This is not a time for politics. This is not a time to say what you believe and what you don?t. This is a time to think and behave as a Nigerian.

?And I think that is what all of us should do. We must challenge the Nigerian media for reciprocation. And I want to challenge once again that all of us need only to put forth those things that promote our political existence as Nigerians, not the things that divide us.?

He assured Nigerians and the diplomatic community that ?the government of Nigeria is functioning. It is listening to some of these very strong messages coming from all around the world and all the concerns of people from this country and outside. We are listening.

?But also keeping our cool and inviting all those that can help us to really navigate through this. When you shoot a bullet, it doesn?t mean you fall. You have a good identity.?

The commended the honoured former general for shaping the African continent and keeping the continents together.

The four Generals are : Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Major. Gen. Chris Garuba, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa and Big.Gen. Saleh Bala.

?And we are happy that you are recognising that. Nigeria is not just Angola. Nigeria is indeed a big brother to Africa,? Idris said.

?And we know all about this. And we want to take this energy, but also ask all Africans, and indeed the whole world, to also recognise what Nigeria is and what it truly represents. Let us not be characterised by what we are not,? he added.Michael Olugbode (Arise News)

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