Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo says even though there are current securities, economic, religious, and ethnic challenges, the collective vision of a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, where righteousness abounds, will never be defeated.
Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Sunday in his remarks at the 61st Independence Anniversary Inter-denominational Church service and the 45th anniversary service of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), which held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.
The event tagged: ‘Together, Come Let Us build’, was attended by several dignitaries, especially representatives of the National Assembly, Judiciary, and members of the Federal Executive Council including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
There were also eminent religious leaders, including the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A Adeboye; CAN President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle; among others.
The vice president was accompanied by his wife, Dolapo.
In his remarks titled: ‘The vision undefeated,’ Prof. Osinbajo said that the founding fathers of Nigeria laid out a vision that the many nations and ethnicities that make up the country would remain one nation.
“61 years ago, our founding fathers laid out a vision, that the many nations and ethnicities, North and South of the Niger, 300 languages or more, differing tribes, and religions, would by the grace of God become one nation; that their diverse strengths and gifts would coalesce into a formidable economic and regional force; and that these united nations may become the largest aggregation of black people on earth; beacon of hope to all peoples of African descent, long bruised by the afflictions of slavery and colonial exploitation.
“Nigeria will be the reaffirmation of their dignity and a tonic to their spirits.
“Through the years, we worked that vision, through thick and thin; from subjection to colonial monarchy, to a sovereign republic, to civil rule to military rule.
“We fought a bitter war amongst brothers that cost millions of lives, and though we still wear the deep scars of those wounds, the Lord preserved the Republic.
“We have since become the most educated and most entrepreneurial nation in Africa. 10 of our 36 States have larger economies than at least 15 African countries.
“From our ranks, we have the most accomplished men and women, in the arts, the sciences, sports, technology, and commerce.”
The vice president expressed strong optimism that the current challenges arising from religious and ethnic conflicts, economic challenges, insurgencies and banditry would not defeat the Nigerian vision.
“Our current trials cannot draw the curtains on our story, because the vision is for an appointed time and because this country is greater than the sum of its parts and the sum of its mistakes; and because the God we serve is greater than the sum of our collective hopes and imagination, our nation will surmount our current travails and emerge in victory.
“This country is greater than the sum of its parts and the sum of its mistakes, and because the God we serve is greater than the sum of our collective hopes and imagination, our nation will surmount our current travails and emerge in victory.”
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, looked back at what Nigeria has gone through as a nation and called on Nigerians to thank God for keeping the country united.
“Each and every one of us must have a room to express gratitude to God because several countries of the world that have not experience one tenth of what we have gone through as a nation have either been balkanized or they have been classified as war-torn zones.
“But because God has an interest in our nation and he has a purpose or a destiny that he has destined this country to achieve he has held us together as a nation, and I believe that is what we are going to experience going forward.”
Delivering the 61st Independence Anniversary message, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye listed reasons why Nigerians should continue to be grateful to God.
The reasons, according to him, are because God commanded his children to always be thankful; because whatever achievement people make are from God; because God will do more if people express gratitude to him; and because people will need God to intervene in the future.
