Thomas Abi Jr |1 October 2015|7:42am
Fellow Nigerians, 55 years ago, our founding fathers fought tirelessly for our nation to experience freedom and become a sovereign nation. Our founding fathers fought for independence because they understood what it meant to have liberty, and they did it with all their might.
As a nation, we have experienced a lot of monumental challenges. But we must understand that the future is here with us. Our future is in our hands. We must preserve the legacy of our heroes past. We must continue to uphold the true virtues of patriotism and show love for our nation.
Our founding fathers who fought for our nation were in their twenties and thirties, they worked together for the collective good of our nation. They worked assiduously to restore the dignity and honour of the Nigerian people. And we must not allow such patriotism shown by our founding fathers go in vain.
Our founding fathers who fought for our liberty, had their own differences. They had their short comings, and so we must not allow religious sentiments, ethnicity and sectionalization destroy our common humanity.
My People, as we celebrate our Independence today, we celebrate that historic moment where our heroes displayed rare sterling qualities. We celebrate the patriotism of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Pa Anthony Enahoro, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Michael Okpara, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Margaret Ekpo and many others who spoke for us.
Martin Luther King Jr., said in 1963, "I spoke from my heart". They spoke from their hearts. We must speak from our hearts for the common good of our nation. We must show love. Even the Holy Bible and the Holy Quaran opines that we should show love.
On this very historic day, I call on all Nigerians to show patriotism, steadfastness, courage and believe in the war against corruption.
Martin Luther King Jr., said "We have a slogans during any revolution in order to fire people, motivate them, and get them moving".
We must key into the change mantra of President Buhari in order to salvage this country from further damage. We must key into his "Change Slogan". It is the responsibility of all Nigerians to salvage this great nation.
Just like Martin Luther King Jr., said in 1964, "These songs bind us together, give us courage together, help us to march together".
The time is now to march against corruption, poverty, hunger, unemployment, poor power supply, lack of Health Care facilities, good road network and many more. We must speak with one voice as a People.
Happy Independence and may God bless our nation.
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
