As Nigeria joins 55 other nations to celebrate the 2023 Commonwealth day, Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu said the Prosperity, peace and security of Nigeria remain a collective responsibility and perseverance of all citizens.
The Minister said this on Monday in Abuja while declaring open the occasion of the 2023 Commonwealth Day Celebration in Nigeria.
According to the Minister, the year 2023 Commonwealth Day commemoration in Nigeria is a re-awakening call on the essence of unity, love, peace and prosperity as the foundation of development for the country in particular and the body of commonwealth nations in general.
“The existence of peace in any space of human aggregation or nation translates to progress, wealth and tranquility. It enhances positive outcomes in trade, investment, human rights, democratic governance, quality education, digitized learning and most importantly entrenches equity and equality, which in Nigeria and most Commonwealth, empowerment of youths, women and the girl-child.
“We should always remember that the sustenance of peace and the determination to make life better for one and all through collaboration and harmonious co-existence remains the fundamental DNA of the Commonwealth group of Nations.”
Nigeria’s Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Zubair Dada, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to realising the ideals of the Commonwealth.
Dada added that over the years Nigeria had contributed to the success of the Commonwealth while looking forward to future programs of the Commonwealth Nations.
Reading the first message of King Charles III On the Occasion Of 2023 Commonwealth Day, Mr Nnanlue Tobechukwu, identified that this week of Commonwealth celebration marks the tenth anniversary of the Charter of the Commonwealth, which gives expression to the defining values – peace and justice; tolerance, respect and solidarity; care for the environment, and for the most vulnerable among member Nations of the Commonwealth.
He added that the significance is to act, and to make a practical difference in the lives of the 2.6 billion people who call the Commonwealth home.
“Ours is an association not just of shared values, but of common purpose and joint action.
“Whether on climate change and biodiversity loss, youth opportunity and education, global health, or economic co-operation, the Commonwealth can play an indispensable role in the most pressing issues of our time In this we are blessed with the ingenuity and imagination of a third of the world’s population, including one and a half billion people under the age of thirty. Our shared humanity contains such precious diversity of thought, culture, tradition and experience. By listening to each other, we will find so many of the solutions that we seek.
“Let ours be a Commonwealth that not only stands together, but strives together, in restless and practical pursuit of the global common good.”
Meanwhile, the Royal Commonwealth society in Nigeria conferred the award of excellency on Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu for his support to activities of Commonwealth society in Nigeria and as well as longest serving Nigeria’s Minister of Education.
The Commonwealth celebration in Nigeria was characterized by Commonwealth theme song, poetry recitations, dance drama and cultural dance that translated the message of this year’s celebration in different forms.
The Commonwealth now accommodates about 32 small states, including Island countries and it has expanded its membership to non-British colonised countries.
This paved way for Gabon and Togo to join the Commonwealth in 2022 as her newest members.
The theme of 2023 Commonwealth Day is, “Forging A Sustainable And Peaceful Common Future.”
The event was well attended in Nigeria by High Commission of India in Abuja, High Commission of Rwanda as well as Heads of Agencies under the Federal Ministry of Education.
