Delta State Governor, Rt Hon. Sheriff Oborewori has called on Nigerians to mark this year’s Independence Day Celebration with sober reflection and think of how each one can contribute her quota to the growth and development of the country.
Oborewori made the call during his goodwill message at the Independence Day Parade, held at Cenotaph, Asaba the Delta State capital.
He maintained that despite the challenges bedeviling the country, there are still enough reasons to celebrate and give thanks to God Almighty.
He said, “As we gather here today to mark another milestone in our journey as an independent nation, it is pertinent that we sit back, take time to reflect, and thank God for the gift of our country. In appreciation of His faithfulness, we humbly express our gratitude to God for His blessings and protection.
“This is what I am asking us to do today as a people bound together by the circumstances of our birth and origin. Though some of us may not see the need to celebrate because of our current security and economic travails, I want us to know that the gift of Nigeria, a country that we can proudly call our own, is enough reason to be thankful. It is a thing of joy and gratitude that our country has remained one despite all the political and economic challenges it has faced.
“It is my prayer that we use the occasion of this anniversary to engage in sober reflection and think of how each one of us can contribute our quota to the growth and development of the country. And we must stand resolute in contending with the forces of evil threatening to tear us apart through bigotry, inciting oratory, and insurgency.
“I would like to pay tribute to our founding fathers who fought valiantly, often at the risk of their lives and those of their families, for the freedom we are enjoying today. The road to independence was rocky, bumpy, treacherous, and full of twists and turns. Today, we celebrate the gallantry of our past leaders who struggled for the independence of our great nation. Truly, may the labour of our heroes’ past not be in vain.
“Today’s event offers us the opportunity to reflect on the journey so far and reaffirm our commitment to building the country of our dreams. It goes without saying that things are hard – very hard – in the country. But we must not lose hope. That is the message I bring to us today. While challenges in life are inevitable, hope gives us the energy and motivation to forge ahead with the firm belief that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. We must believe that the future will be better than the past in some way because every problem has a solution.
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“In the words of the late reformist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, “we must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” And as the South African freedom fighter and human rights activist, Archbishop Desmond Tutu once said, “hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” What these sages are telling us is that to lose hope is to cease to live. That is how important it is for us to keep hope alive despite the enormous economic challenges confronting us.
“I am confident that Nigeria will come out of its current predicament stronger and better poised to live up to its potential and promise as the giant of Africa. I, therefore, urge us to keep praying for our political leaders to make the right decisions and choices that will bring about good governance for the greater good of all. Men may have the best of intentions but without the wisdom and enablement of God, their best efforts will come to naught. So, let us not grow weary in the place of prayer because it is the channel through which God intervenes in human affairs.
“As we celebrate 64 years as an independent country, I join the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to wish Nigerians, especially Deltans, a very happy and memorable independence anniversary.”
