Governor Simon Lalong, at an inter-denominational church service to mark 61st Independence of Nigeria on Sunday 26th September.
By Marie-Therese Nanlong
Jos – Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, has said that the current travails Nigeria is faced with will not subdue her.
Speaking on Sunday at the inter-denominational Church thanksgiving service to mark the 61st Independence of Nigeria, held at the Government House Chapel, Rayfield Jos, the governor said Nigerians should not lose hope.
“While some may use the current travails that the nation is witnessing to cast a shadow of hopelessness and despondency, we should never allow the trials of today overshadow the many successes that our nation has witnessed in the past and the many good things that have continued to happen up till date. Many prophets of doom had prophesied that we shall not live to witness this year and some people representing both internal and external interests have also worked fruitlessly to fulfill this prophesy.”
He said great nations are entrenched on good governance, rule of law, tolerance, patriotism, social welfare, respect for human rights and zero tolerance to corruption and indiscipline and for Nigeria to be great, it has no option than to follow such examples.
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Lalong also asked Nigerians not to allow the current challenges facing the nation to push them towards de-marketing the country or even advocating for its disintegration as the consequences will not only be uncertain, but unimaginable.
The Governor said he was optimistic that “Nigeria shall emerge very strong and prosperous, exceeding all expectations and putting behind all disappointments,”urged “Nigerians to work together in unity, tolerance, sincerity, loyalty and patriotism to ensure that the nation lives up to its God-given potentials.”
“For far too long, we have focused on our differences and weaknesses, and trivialized or even ignored our strengths and prospects. We seem to dissipate so much energy on defining people based on their religion, tribe, ethnicity and even political orientation completely neglecting their capacities, gifts, talents and willingness to serve humanity. We have been blinded by such myopic considerations that we fail to see that God has a plan for creating us with diversity and yet making us dependent on one another.”
A cross section of worshippers at the 61st Inter-denominational thanksgiving service to mark the 61st Independence of Nigeria.
Earlier, Deputy Chaplain of the State Government House Chapel, Rev. Ezekiel Dewan reading from the Bible book of Jeremiah 27 and Luke 8:24-25 among other chapters, urged Nigerians to avoid negative narratives because there is power in the tongue, explaining that “Those who give up at difficult times may not benefit from God’s intervention when it arrives because they may be too blind to recognize it.”
He admonished Nigerians to pray for God’s mercy on Plateau State and Nigeria, as the Bible directs citizens to not only pray for their leaders, but also for the cities where they dwell.
In separate goodwill messages, the Ata Aten of Ganawuri, Yakubu Chaimang (representing the State Traditional Council), General Officer Commanding, GOC 3rd Division and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Ali, said though Nigeria is passing through difficulties of insecurity, poverty and disease among others, there is hope for the future as God is raising leaders who will unite all people, lead with the fear of God, and shun all forms of evil for nation development.
The Ata Aten admonished that, “we should always thank God for keeping us alive and seeing Nigeria celebrate 61 years as a nation is a thing of joy.”
Major General Ali stressed, “October 1st ought to be seen as a day to rekindle patriotism” and urged citizens to “resolve to live in peace and restore Plateau to its former glory.”
