Exactly 66 years ago, our nation on that fateful day opened a new page in the annals of our historic evolution as a people and a nation state. The journey has been a long one from that day and has been replete with all shades of experience and happenstance.
Let me, therefore, on behalf of the Management and Staff of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, heartily felicitate with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora on the occasion of our nation’s 66th Independence Anniversary. We have in all these years ,beyond every push and shove, stood strong and unwavering!
Sixty-six years after attaining independence on October 1, 1960, Nigeria remains a nation of immense promise, remarkable resilience and enormous potential. Our journey as an independent nation has not been without challenges, but through every difficulty, the Nigerian spirit of perseverance, enterprise and hope has remained unbroken.
For me, and I guess for many out there, this anniversary provides us yet again with an opportunity to reflect on the vision of our founding fathers and the sacrifices of the generation that secured our independence. We must always remember the contributions of great nationalists and statesmen such as Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, whose different perspectives and convictions were nevertheless united by a common aspiration for a prosperous, dignified and independent Nigeria. Their onerous legacy places a responsibility on every generation of Nigerians to preserve the unity, sovereignty and democratic values of our country and to build upon the foundations they laid.
As we approach another General Election, I particularly appeal to all Nigerians—politicians, political parties, candidates, supporters, community leaders, religious leaders and, especially, our youth—to make peace our collective priority.
Elections will come and go, political offices will change hands, and political disagreements will inevitably arise. Nigeria, however, will remain.
We must, therefore, never allow political differences to destroy the bonds that hold us together as one people. Let us conduct our political activities with civility, tolerance and respect for the rights and dignity of fellow citizens. Let us reject violence, hate speech, ethnic and religious incitement, misinformation and every act capable of threatening our national cohesion.
Our democracy must be an instrument for resolving differences, not a reason for creating enemies.
I also wish to commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the courage with which his Administration has pursued a great number of economic and structural reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigerian economy. The Administration has continued to emphasise reforms in areas including taxation, fiscal management, infrastructure, energy, education, agriculture and investment.
While acknowledging that reforms of such magnitude may sometimes come with challenges and sacrifices, as Mr. President himself has often acknowledged , I remain optimistic that, with perseverance, prudent implementation and sustained attention to the welfare of Nigerians, the gains of these measures will increasingly translate into improved opportunities and a better quality of life for our people.
As Nigerians, we must continue to support every genuine effort directed at strengthening our economy, improving national infrastructure, creating opportunities for our youths and placing the country on a sustainable path of development.
At the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps, which by the grace of God and the manifest magnanimity of Mr. President I currently head, we remain proud of our modest contribution to Nigeria’s international image and foreign policy objectives through the Technical Aid Corps Scheme. By deploying Nigerian professionals to partner countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, we continue to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to South-South Cooperation, people-to-people diplomacy and the sharing of knowledge and expertise. We are not stopping anywhere yet, but will continue to achieve more for our dear country in the years ahead in line with President Tinubu’s 4-D Foreign Policy framework.
On this historic occasion, therefore, I call on every Nigerian to place Nigeria first.
Let us preserve our unity.
Let us protect our democracy.
Let us respect one another.
Let us give peace a chance.
And let us remain confident in the immense possibilities that lie ahead for our great nation.
I firmly believe that, notwithstanding our present challenges, everything will ultimately work together for the good of Nigeria, provided we remain united, patriotic, prayerful and committed to the task of nation-building.
May the sacrifices and vision of our founding fathers continue to inspire us. May God continue to guide our leaders and bless all Nigerians who contribute, in their various ways, to the advancement of our dear country.
