There is, perhaps, nothing important to majority of Nigerians like having love permeate the heart of all as Nigeria celebrates its 57thindependence anniversary.
The crave for love above all else, is apparently hinged on the fact that with love, unity , peace and other ingredients that would contribute to the growth of the nation would follow naturally.
The fervent desire for love among the different people of the nation forms the thrust of the goodwill messages by majority of the nation’s leaders in all spheres of life.
From top government functionaries to traditional, religious and business leaders, the major prayer is for Nigerians to exude love with unequalled passion to allow the unity and peace in the country move some notches higher than it has always been.
This position is well emphasized in the independence anniversary of President Muhammadu Buhari where he expressed strong opposition to the advocacy for a division of the country under any guise.
According to him, dialogue remained the best option for carrying out some basic constitutional changes and the best place to do that was the National Assembly and the legislative houses in the states of the federation.
His words: “Recent calls on re-structuring, quite proper in a legitimate debate, has let in highly irresponsible groups to call for dismemberment of the country. We cannot and we will not allow such advocacy.”
The president who spoke on the experience of the Nigerian civil war said those who witnessed it would never advocate for a repeat.
“As a young Army Officer, I took part from the beginning to the end in our tragic civil war costing about 2m lives, resulting in fearful destruction and untold suffering. Those who are agitating for a re-run were not born by 1967 and have no idea of the horrendous consequences of the civil conflict which we went through.
“I am very disappointed that responsible leaders of these communities do not warn their hot-headed youths what the country went through. Those who were there should tell those who were not there, the consequences of such folly.
“At all events, proper dialogue and any desired constitutional changes should take place in a rational manner, at the National and State Assemblies. These are the proper and legal fora for National debate, not some lop-sided, un-democratic body with pre-determined set of objectives,” he said.
President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, was, so to say, on the same page with the president on the need to promote peace and unity through love.
According to Saraki, in a statement by Yusuph Olaniyonu, his media aide, making Nigeria the great nation that all wanted was a collective responsibility.
He emphasized that leaders should close ranks in order to initiate and implement ideas and strategies that would further develop the country and increase the standard of living of the citizenry.
“It is apparent that the need for peace, unity and stability in our nation cannot be compromised. Our togetherness, abundant resources and diversity are our greatest asset. Therefore let us refrain from tendencies that tend to pull us apart,” Saraki prayed.
He stated further: “This is why it is necessary at this time in our developmental journey, that we must all redouble our resolve to make Nigeria take her rightful leadership position among her peers.”
As far as Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, and his Edo State counterpart, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, are concerned, there is need for concerted efforts to strengthen the bond of unity in the country.
The two governors who in unity gave a goodwill message to commemorate Nigeria’s 57th independence anniversary said the country’s unity could not be compromised.
“There is strength in unity; as a nation, we should talk about how to work together and stay on a common path on how to develop Nigeria; we should partner with one another,” Okowa said.
The governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, pleaded that love should be the major focus of Nigerians as a people.
He reasoned that with love, the people of the nation would remain one notwithstanding their differences and the challenges confronting the ethnic nationalities.
Ajimobi’s goodwill message was issued in Ibadan by his Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Yomi Layinka.
His words: “It is quite unfortunate that at 57, Nigerians are more divided along ethnic and religious lines than we used to be at independence in 1960. The drum of separation is being beaten now more than ever before.
“Ethnic groups with separatist agenda are springing up on daily basis, while erstwhile brothers and compatriots are taking up arms against one another, with others shouting `To thy tent, O Israel’…
“We are indeed better and stronger together with common aspirations in a united Nigeria.’’
In his message, former Military President of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) (rtd), said to ensure peaceful co-existence as a people, Nigerians should embrace dialogue in resolving the country’s challenges.
His words: “The resilience of armed forces of Nigeria to curtail secessionist agitation throughout our nation’s post independence era has reduced tensions and unnecessary destruction of lives and property.
“Dialogue remains the best option in resolving conflicts and agitations in the country.
“Recent conflicts and agitations, chanting slogan of war and hate speeches are derailing the nation’s development and unity.
“As an active participant during the civil war and as a retired military officer, with the hard lesson learnt, I will never be tired of calling for the oneness and unity of our great nation.
“We will forever be ready to sacrifice for a united and prosperous Nigeria when called again.”
The statement of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, follows the same pattern as he also saw the need to strengthen the bond of unity and cohesion as a people.
“True independence will continue to elude us until and unless we attain independence from tribalism, sectionalism, religious extremism, partisan political bigotry, materialism, corruption and ancillary forms of retrogressive tendencies that threatened to consign us to the forgotten age,” he said.
He added: “May I use the occasion of this year’s Independence Anniversary to urge us all to reflect on those things that unite and bring us together as a people, and shun individuals and groups with divisive tendencies.”
