Barrister Fabian Awhen
It was St. Paul who when writing to the Ephesians said in one of his epistles “I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of spirit in the bond of peace.
The thrust of the message was clear. It bordered on the virtues of submission, patience, love, and the spirit of unity bonded in peace, which the spirits of the Independence Anniversary of Nigerian-nation State call for.
Indeed, this bond of unity and peace is further strengthened by the spirit of our constitution which professes unity in diversity.
Agreeably, although Paul, Apostle of Christ was not addressing his letter to Cross Riverians neither did he have Nigerians in mind, his message fittingly qualifies to be addressed to Cross Riverians and indeed Nigerians, particularly at this time when our faith in God, our nation and ourselves flicker unceasingly because we lust for excessive material wealth and vain power.
This is so because events in the recent past have shown that time and again in our pursuit of uncontrolled material wealth and vain power, we have allowed ourselves to be influenced by the cunning of men and by their craftiness and deceitful wiles.
Need we say that this type of attitudinal inclination runs contrary to St.
Paul’s injunction that “let your manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ, firm in one spirit with one mind.”
In other words, we should do nothing from selfishness or conceit but in humility, we should count others as better than ourselves, and place State or National interest above our personal interest and other considerations at all times.
Therefore, as we join our fellow citizens to mark the anniversary of the country’s independence, let us take stock of our lives and determine to what extent we have promoted the cause of peace justice, equity, and fair play in the interest of the State and the Nation as a whole.
Truly, the present administration in the State and indeed the country has set a high tone in the pursuit of peace and development which is worthy of emulation.
We must therefore align our minds with the thinking of the present democratic dispensation in the country and forge for ourselves a culture of peace as the beacon for the attainment of the ideals of a great nation.
Indeed, given our abundant Natural and human resources Nigerians could reach the limits of possibilities.
Yet we may never realize our goals of advancement as a Nation unless we pool our resources and promote peaceful co-existence here in the state and the country as a whole.
In this regard, it becomes imperative and profitable for us as a product of one nation and one destiny to agree on a common interest and shed the burden of ineptitude and mundane existence.
This also lies in the appreciation of our divine tendencies and the cultivation of the spirit of accommodation as it is practiced in nations that have attained greatness.
Therefore, as we mark this year’s Nigeria Independence Anniversary, we should make peace and progress our watchword as a way forward.
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