The Yoruba Appraisal Forum, YAF, has called on Nigerians to use the period of Nigeria’s 61st Independence to reorient their thinking in the direction of unity and peaceful coexistence.
The National Coordinator of the Forum, Mr Adeshina Animashaun, stated this at a press briefing in Lagos.
Mr Animashaun, while saying Nigerians have reasons to be proud of Nigeria, also advised citizens to use this period of celebration to reflect on ways to move the country forward.
“We should not expect to develop our pride in Nigeria after she must have attained greatness. Rather, we should have it at the back of our minds that Nigeria can only become great because of our individual and collective pride in her and her potentialities.
“It’s time for all Nigerians to embrace peace, join hands with fellow citizens to work for lasting peace and desired progress. Let’s, therefore, rather use tomorrow’s Independence Day celebrations to reflect on how to move our country forward and to greater heights. Let’s not make ourselves willing tools for the few aggrieved persons and groups who do not wish Nigeria well.
” Peace and righteousness do a great deal of good to any group of people and nations, and this YAF believes should continue to bind the conscience of every Nigerian, especially as the country clocks 61 tomorrow,” he said.
The YAF coordinator also advised young people not to allow themselves to be used as tools by aggrieved persons to foment trouble and destabilise society.
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” At this juncture, YAF, therefore, wants to appeal to aggrieved persons and groups to sheathe their swords and in the interest of Nigeria’s peace and unity, eschew agitations to dismember the country. We should all remember that decapitation is never the remedy for headaches.
“We should, therefore, not give any room to unpatriotic persons to destroy the good legacies and country bequeathed to us by Nigeria’s founding fathers,” Animashaun said.
Zainab Sa’id
