Vice President, Kashim Shettima, asserts that Nigeria’s strength lies in the unity of its citizens and the country’s commitment to sustaining democracy. He expresses optimism that Nigeria will overcome its current challenges and anticipates a bright future for the nation. These statements were made during the 63rd Independence anniversary lecture and symposium held in Abuja on Thursday.
According to Vice President Shettima, “Our history has shown that Nigerians are too ambitious to be broken by temporary setbacks. We are going to emerge from this phase of reforms stronger, each of us with renewed hope as we honor the labor of our heroes past. As we reflect on the values and principles that have brought us this far, as we strive for excellence in all that we do, and as we work together towards a future where opportunities know no bounds, let’s remember that our most potent weapon is the overriding resolve of the majority to choose unity over chaos and democracy over anarchy.”
The Vice President emphasizes that Nigeria’s strength has defied the predictions of those who had ill intentions for the country. He believes that Nigeria will continue to grow stronger. He further states, “Today we gather to honor Nigeria’s journey to redefine its destiny. Today we stand on the precipice of history, reflecting upon a nation that has defied the predictions of doomsayers, a nation that has become the metaphor of resilience. Over the past 63 years, we have not only survived but thrived because of our collective resolve, our commitment to progress, and the enduring spirit of unity that binds us together.”
VP Shettima’s Commitment to the Black Race
Vice President Shettima reiterates his profound love for Nigeria and emphasizes the need for all hands to be on deck to make the country work in the interest of the black race. This aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to rebuilding the nation. Shettima says, “While this anniversary offers us another opportunity to acknowledge the cross-regional bonds that have kept us standing as Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, we are here to remind ourselves that to renew the hope of the nation, we must be prepared to pursue bold reforms. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has undertaken to build a country where the economic independence of each citizen is guaranteed, where none of us has to depend on unspecified handouts to earn a living. Our history, like that of every nation, isn’t just a record of surviving attacks on our sovereign integrity and social welfare. Our history underscores the commonality of our shared humanity. The most recent memory, the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, reminded us that viruses do not discriminate based on ethnicity or religion and that our strength as a nation is driven by our collective faith in the ideals that define us and the moral character of our leaders. I love Nigeria and I believe in the Nigeria project, not because of my vested interest or my family, but because if Nigeria works, the black man works.”
The Vision for Socio-Economic Development
In his address, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, explains that the theme for the anniversary lecture was chosen to align with President Bola Tinubu’s desire to collaborate with other nations to improve the lives of Nigerian citizens. Akume states, “The theme for today’s symposium, ‘Actualizing the Vision of Renewed Hope for Socio-Economic Development Through Effective Leadership,’ aims to shed light on critical areas of Nigeria’s socio-economic potentials that can be explored and developed through the policies and programs of this administration. This process is crucial due to the dynamic nature of our socio-economic environment and the global systems. It is also significant because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during his recent address at the United Nations General Assembly, called on world leaders to partner with Nigeria for business and development.”
Akume believes that if Nigeria’s economic potentials are harnessed properly, the nation can become one of the 20 largest economies in the world within the next seven years.
The guest speaker at the event, Dr. Adegoke Adegoroye, highlights the importance of effective coordination between key government officials to ensure the smooth execution of programs and policies. He also suggests a revitalized recruitment process to ensure the engagement of qualified individuals in public service. Dr. Adegoroye discourages suggestions to increase the retirement age of civil servants and urges labor unions to focus on the future of workers and their needs, such as promotion opportunities, not just minimum wage.
The 63rd independence anniversary lecture is part of a series of events organized to celebrate Nigeria’s independence.
