A member of the House of Representatives from Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Hon. Shina Peller, has called on all Nigerians to embrace peace, unity, religious and tribal tolerance for the country to advance appropriately.
He made this call on Tuesday, in a statement made available to insideoyo.com by his Press Secretary, Kola Popoola, on the occasion of Nigeria’s 59th Independence Anniversary.
This statement reads:
“I felicitate with fellow Nigerians on the occasion of Nigeria’s 59th Independence Anniversary, notwithstanding temporary challenges we are presently battling with as a nation.
“As we mark the 59th Independence Anniversary of our dear country, we should bear in mind that we cannot advance appropriately until we learn to live, act and work together purposefully in the overall interest of our country irrespective of our political, tribal and religious affiliations.
“Though topping the list of our present challenges are insecurity, unemployment, economic instability, the root of our problems lies in our selfishness, disunity, religious, tribal and political intolerance.
“Therefore, to confront and conquer our challenges, it is pertinent that we first address the aforementioned root of our problems. Though government has a major role to play in this, it is a task that every Nigerian must undergo.
“We must shun disunity for unity, hatred for love, political, religious and tribal intolerance for peaceful coexistence and more importantly, we must subdue our individual interests for the country’s interest.
“Significantly, we youths also have major roles to play in making Nigeria better. If we look back to October 1, 1960 when we got our independence, we’ll realise that most of the people at the helm of the country’s affairs at the period were young.
“The likes of Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Tafawa Balewa, Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and others started assuming leadership positions at their youthful age. What made it possible was due to their willingness to get involved in politics.
“So, it is high time our generation (today’s youths) stopped sitting on the fence and complaining about the maladministration of our country; to make things better, we also need to be actively involved in politics. We need to remember that most of the people that made Nigeria’s Independence that we now celebrate annually possible were youths.
“Fellow Nigerians, as our country turns 59, I enjoin us to remain hopeful and courageous while we contribute our own quota diligently towards achieving Nigeria of our dream that will be devoid of injustice, violence, callousness, economic instability, infrastructural deficiency and other major societal ills.”
