Fellow
Nigerians:
Today
marks the 54th anniversary of our country’s independence as a sovereign
nation. This is also the tenth month of our journey into a new century,
having marked the centenary of our nation in January this year.
The
first one hundred years were marked by triumphs and tribulations, benefits and
burdens, opportunities and challenges. We made some far reaching advances
in building a strong, united and prosperous nation. We also overcame the
forces of disunity that culminated in a debilitating civil war. We have
also renewed our faith in one another, and in our country. We have proven that
we are truly a resilient nation.
President Jonathan
In
my address to the nation last year, I did emphasize that we were in a sober
moment in our country. We are still in that mood in spite of the many
accomplishments of our administration. Our sombreness has to do with the crises
of nationhood occasioned by the activities of terrorist elements who have done
the unimaginable to challenge our unity as a people.
On
an occasion like this, it is important that we remember all the precious souls
that have been lost in the unprecedented war of terror unleashed on some parts
of our country by these individuals who want to compel us to live our lives
their way. They will not succeed!
