Independence: Let Us Reflect On Our Journey To Nationhood – Mulade

By Monday Peters, Abuja

As Nigeria marks its 66th Independence Anniversary, Chief Mulade Sheriff, PhD, the Ibe-Sorimowei of Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, has called on Nigerians to reflect on the nation’s journey and future.

Mulade, who is the National Coordinator of Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, and National Treasurer of Ijaw National Congress, INC, congratulated Nigerians “for coexisting and keeping the country as one entity.”

In his Independence message on Wednesday, he said: “As we celebrate, let us thank God for His mercies and grace to mark 66 years of nationhood.”

He urged citizens to reflect on what has kept the country together, including “our cultural diversity, our values, religion, our faith, and determination to live together as one indivisible nation, in love, brotherhood, and peace.”

Mulade noted that at 66, Nigeria has come of age. According to him: “A man at 66 is no longer a child or a youth. Relating this to our situation, Nigeria marking 66 years of existence has come of age.”

“Let us reflect on how we have used our human and natural resources (oil/gas) and others to grow our nation,” he said, calling for assessment of infrastructure development in “education, health, economy, sports, energy, industry, transportation, and our socio-political institutions.”

He further charged leaders to think about the future of young Nigerians. “Let us also use this 66th anniversary as a nation to reflect on the future that we owe our youth population, how much investments we have made into their future, and what tomorrow holds for them,” he stated.

Mulade lamented the challenges facing the nation, saying: “Let us call to mind our decaying infrastructure, our youths that have continuously left the shores of this country in search of greener pastures as a result of our bad socio-economic and political situations.”

He blamed the situation on “bad leadership, poor economy, insecurity” and “the embarrassing level of corruption – the cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabrics of our nation.”

He called on both leaders and followers to “find a way to eliminate corruption and bitter politics, build better and enduring infrastructure, build institutions that can sustain our nascent democracy, good governance, quality and affordable healthcare, and ensure the security of lives and property.”