Here is the Independence Day goodwill message from Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BUA Group‘’This Is Our Nigeria’’.
It reads…
Our great country, Nigeria is 60 years today. 60 years since we became the most vibrant black nation in the world known for the richness of its culture and its progressive people. In the real sense, while 60 years might seem a long time, we are still young as a nation. I say this also because I only turned 60 this year and I still consider myself young.
While the journey has not been a smooth sail, celebrating Nigeria at 60 comes with great nostalgia.
Recently, a foreign friend of mine was commenting on how easy it is for a Nigerian to easily dominate fields or spaces wherever they find themselves - anywhere in the world, and it got me thinking. What can we do to develop our national life in a way that helps every single Nigerian regardless of Age, Gender, Ethnicity, or Status to achieve their full potential?
It was Barack Obama who said in his book, ‘The Audacity of Hope’ that, “…what's troubling is the gap between the magnitude of our challenges and the smallness of everything else --the ease with which we are distracted by the petty and trivial, our chronic avoidance of tough decisions, our seeming inability to build a working consensus to tackle any big problem.” He wasn’t referring to Nigeria but this quote also rings true for us as Nigerians.
Have we ever stopped to think of what is possible if we pooled together our individual strengths and resources in positive service to our country?
There was a vision of our founding fathers – a vision that I believe can still very much be achieved. Our founding fathers have built us a nation, one that was to be bound in freedom, peace and unity. As citizens and leaders today, we must do all we can to build on that vision, sustain the legacy and then pass it to future generations.
Why? Because this is OUR Nigeria.
Yes, this is our Nigeria. The same Nigeria who many African countries owe their liberation.
This is our Nigeria. The same Nigeria that is the most populous black nation on this earth.
This is our Nigeria. The one that has birthed many world leaders – old and young – the Nigeria of beautiful culture… music… innovation… The Nigeria of Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Funmilayo Ransome Kuti. The Nigeria of Queen Amina of Zaria, the Nigeria of the Richest black man in the world…
…of Wizkid, Nollywood and afrobeats. The Nigeria of millions of young entrepreneurs.
This is our Nigeria.
As a people, we must give peace a chance. We must unify our resources, our effort and harness them for the good of our own people to drive Nigeria on to greater heights.
We must know without a doubt that we cannot afford to lose. We are one nation. Nigeria belongs to us all and our actions and or inactions as well as our choices will determine the next 60 for us and those yet unborn.
We must stand up with the collective spirit that we are known for… We all have an obligation to pass on a country we are proud of to future generations. It starts by demanding accountability and being accountable in every aspect of our national life… it starts by remembering the values of what it is to be black, Nigerian and African. The values of community, of hard-work, of being true to ourselves… never giving up in the face of adversity.
Whether you are a politician or an ordinary citizen, business person or student…
Whether you are young or old, rich or poor…
One thing I know is that, this is still our Nigeria and now more than ever, we all have a responsibility to come together to build an even greater, more prosperous Nigeria.
Abdul Samad Rabiu, CON
Founder/Chairman, BUA Group
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