Nigeria @ 52: Leaders hopeful, pray for Nigeria’s growth

THE nation turns 52 today. And it is with a mix of regret, appeal and  hope  that leaders contemplate  the  progress  of the country.
Yesterday, some of the leaders lamented wasted opportunities that have retarded the country’s development, but others appealed for more sacrifice and patience, expressing the hope that with these qualities the nation would attain development.
And yesterday, as part of his efforts for the development of the country, Jonathan kicked off a one-year prayer programme in Abuja.  He said this   initiative was necessary because the United States became great because of prayer.
Among   those who spoke yesterday on the nation’s 52nd independence anniversary were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President David Mark, House
of Representatives’ Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu and    the Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.
At the prayer session yesterday, Jonathan emphasised the imperative of the one-year prayer project, reminding Nigerians that as prayer helped America determine the direction of their country, it could do  the same for Nigeria.
Saying that he could not solve the problems of Nigerians alone, President Jonathan characterized the existing  challenges facing the nation as temporary and that Nigeria would eventually overcome.
At the 52nd Independence Anniversary Interdenominational Church Service organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) with   the theme “The Weapons of Our Warfare are not Carnal”, Jonathan said that with support from all Nigerians  like the rebuilding of old Jerusalem with ease under the leadership of Prophet Nehemiah, Nigeria would be rebuilt .
Nigeria,  according to him,  is blessed with many Nehemiahs  in the  three arms of government – Federal Executive, National Assembly, Judiciary and in the other public and private sectors. These Nehemiahs, Jonathan said, could be used by God  to rebuild the country.
He expressed appreciation to Christians and other religious leaders who  pray for the country and success of the government but stated that “leadership at all levels is collective. One person cannot change a nation. Agreed the leader matters but he cannot change things alone. All of us Nigerians must work together to rebuild our nation. Our men and women will change things in this country. There are so many Nehemiahs in the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council, our judiciary, our teachers, businessmen and women and I believe God will use these Nehemiahs to rebuild the country. I can say again that Nigeria will succeed. With your cooperation we shall succeed.”
The President said that his administration had sanitised the electoral process, assuring that very soon, the endemic corruption in Nigeria would be a thing.
For example, Jonathan pointed to the report of Transparency International, an organisation he said had never spared Nigeria but admitted in its latest rating that Nigeria was second only to America in its commitment to fight corruption.
He took solace from the  ranking, “which was different from the usual rating. God willing we shall overcome it.”
In the area of economic development, Jonathan announced that about 249 new companies had entered the Nigerian market, adding that his government would “continue to work hard to create jobs for our people.”
He also spoke on the  stabilisation of electricity supply to Nigerians, stating: “I want to assure Nigerians we will not sleep until we stablise power in this country.”
In his sermon titled “God still answer prayers” President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor called on Nigerians in position of leadership to turn from their wicked ways so that the country could enjoy the abundance of God’s blessing placed upon the country.
Ortisejafor also posited that  Boko Haram was a terrorist organisation being funded by selfish interest and those who  bent  on seeing Nigeria divided.
In his remarks, the convener of Nigeria Prays and former Head of State, Dr. Yakubu Gowon said a time like now called for sober reflection, greater volume of prayer and supplication.
Gowon said the special independence prayer, was the gathering of builders and watchmen of the  nation, to seek the face of God over the difficulties facing the country and to set the tone for transformation.
He said: “Together we can rescue our nation from its present difficulties.”
Some of the dignitaries present were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, Senate President David Mark, Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker, ministers, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Chief of Staff, Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs, top government functionaries and members of the diplomatic corps.
In a statement by his media office in Abuja, Atiku advised Nigerians not to be too obsessed with the past and work towards moving the nation forward. He noted with concern that a sense of nostalgia was leading Nigerians to give up about the present and the future.
In the statement titled, “Nigeria at 52: Avoid obsession with the past,” Atiku noted that looking back with obsession might lead them to lose hope in today and the future.
He also reviewed Nigeria’s democratic journey in the past 13 years and said that it was understandable for people to be impatient for change because of their harsh experiences.
But according to him, the democratic process takes some time to get rooted and in the process mistakes are bound to occur, noting that
the beauty of democracy lies in the power to replace leaders who have failed to deliver the goods.
To the  former vice president, however, good governance and sincerity are essential factors in sustaining people’s faith in the system. To him  too,  democracy is a covenant between the leaders and the people and once the elected officials deviate, democracy itself will be affected.
He identified large-scale corruption as the biggest obstacle to making the lives of the people better and advised leaders to demonstrate  the courage and political will to terminate this national cancer. He equally stressed the need for elected leaders at all levels to see power as public trust rather than as a means of self-enrichment and suppressing perceived opponents.
The former vice president said the luxurious lifestyles of leaders at the expense of the people could lead to disenchantment with the system.
Nevertheless, Atiku believes that despite all the flaws  of  democracy, it  remains the best system,  arguing that the attitude of the leaders would determine how they would be able to carry the citizens along.
According to Mark, in the heat of the economic and socio-political challenges, only the resolve and willingness of Nigerians to confront the issues headlong would get the country  out of the woods.
Mark    appealed to politicians not minding the parties they belong, to learn to embrace peace and unity.
“Nobody is coming from the moon or the space to solve our problems for us. The challenge is that we must put behind us such mundane issues as ethnic or religious differences and come together as one people to tackle our problems”, he stated.
Mark maintained that Nigerians had the capacity to solve their problems.
He catalogued the myriads of challenges of nation building since independence and submitted: “ If we look inwards and do the right things in conformity with our laws and customs, we can adequately find solutions to our problems.”
Mark noted with pain the  unceasing  destruction of lives and property largely perpetrated by Boko Haram, ethnic militias and kidnappers, saying: “These were hitherto alien to us. It is a challenge we must resolve to end.”
Tambuwal urged Nigerians to look to the future with optimism as the country celebrates it 52nd independence anniversary.
In a  statement  by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal said all Nigerians must work assiduously to promote peace, unity and democracy.
The Speaker equally urged the  people  to isolate and expose those obstacles that hamper the attainment of peace, development, and progress of the nation.
According to him, the last few years have been challenging to the people of the country, but admonished all citizens to  do away with those attitudes, language, and dispositions that have prevented the country from attaining its full potential.
While congratulating Nigerians on achieving this milestone, Tambuwal reiterated the commitment of the House of Representatives to uphold the ideals of a united Nigeria, which shall take its rightful place in the comity of nations.
In a statement, the ANPP chief, Ogbonnaya Onu, lamented the slow progress of the nation , noting however that there was hope if leaders took their assignments seriously.
Onu said: “Our country Nigeria was born with so much hope. It is this hope that inspired the great statesmen and women who fought for our independence. Our future is great. However, as a nation, we have been passing through so many difficulties. But we have also made a number of achievements.
“Nevertheless, the time has come for all Nigerians to believe in our country and work together as one people for the good of all. We must start practicing those values that bring progress to a nation, such as justice, fairness, and the rule of law. No Nigerian should be allowed to be above the law; this is what is needed to build a strong, stable and a united country with confident and happy citizens.