Group task Nigerians not to take country’s independence for granted Group task Nigerians not to take country’s independence for granted

The Yoruba Appraisal Forum (YAF) on Sunday in Abuja, advised Nigerians not to take the country’s 61st Independence aniversary for granted, but to work towards enthroning a better society.

Mr Adeshina Animashaun, National Coordinator of the forum gave the advice in a statement, adding that as patriotic citizens, we must not take our independence for granted.

He said Nigerians should rather strive at all times to work towards making the country a better place to live in, even for generations yet unborn.

“We must all remember that it’s only when our country progresses in everything under a peaceful atmosphere that the world, especially Africa and all black people in the Diaspora, will be proud of us.

“No nation progresses in a chaotic atmosphere and under insecurity imposed by few aggrieved citizens,” he said.
Animashaun noted that it was only when we worked together peacefully as a people and a united nation that Nigeria could move forward and get to her desired destination.

He further noted that as Nigerians, we hold the destiny of our country in our hands, saying that whatever we do with it, determines our collective destiny.

He, therefore, appealed to the teeming Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be used by some aggrieved Nigerians and failed politicians to foment trouble.

He said the YAF was aware of plans by some aggrieved groups and individuals to violate the laws from Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, by carrying out an illegal and unwarranted protests and so-called sit-at-home order.

This, the YAF national coordinator, was against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for whatever reasons best known to them and their sponsors.

“We want to warn that such protests are likely to result in violence and wanton destruction of lives and property, which our nation can ill-afford at a period all Nigerian citizens should be joyous and celebrating.

“YAF, therefore, wants to appeal to aggrieved persons and groups to sheathe their swords, and in the interest of Nigeria’s peace and unity, eschew agitations to dismember the country.

“We should all remember that decapitation is never the remedy for headache,” Animashaun said.

He stressed that it was time for Nigerians to embrace peace and join hands with fellow citizens to work for lasting peace and desired progress of the country.

He advised the country’s youths especially, not to make themselves willing tools for the few aggrieved persons and groups who do not wish the country well.

He noted that peace and righteousness does a great deal of good to any group of people and nations and should continue to bind the conscience of every Nigerian, especially as the country clocks 61.

“We should, therefore, not give any room to unpatriotic persons to destroy the good legacies and country bequeathed to us by Nigeria’s founding fathers.

“We must strive to be among those superior characters to hold the balance of power to keep our great nation up to a high standard of civilization.

“Second-rate men and women must be effectively checked and kept at bay to save our dear fatherland from avoidable collapse.

“Our country can only be great again if we all reorient ourselves and reason together as Nigerians and not as Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba; not as Northerners or Southerners, Muslims or Christians,” he said.

Animashaun said the YAF, as a group of patriotic citizens, would never waver in its consistent pursuit of a peaceful and united Nigeria.

He, however, commended the international community for their consistent support for the unity and progress of Nigeria in spite of the daunting challenges confronting her.

He noted that despite the challenges, the international community had remained on the side of Nigeria’s continued corporate existence under a peaceful atmosphere.

He appealed to the international community to continue to give Nigeria all the necessary assistance to enable her to surmount the various challenges.

“We appeal for continued technical and material assistance to the nation’s security agencies so that the country will continue to record success in her crusade against terrorists and insurgents,”Animashaun said.(NAN)