By Francis Adewumi_
The Founder of Non Governmental Charity Organization, Opeyemi David Falegan Foundation, Hon. Opeyemi David Falegan has felicitated Nigerians on the country’s 64th Independence Anniversary.
Falegan,a leading Philanthropist in Ekiti State , spoke in a statement on Monday in Ado Ekiti by his media aide, Comrade Adewumi Francis.
“Sixty-four years ago, when this great country acquired independence, it was upon the promise of abundant prosperity and the principle of social justice.
“As a nation, we have continued to struggle to manifest the dreams of our founding fathers in upholding the promises of shared prosperity and social justice.
“We have encountered great moments when the flag of our dear country flew tall on the global stage through the industry of our sportsmen and women, the prolific distinction of our academia and the top-notch artistry of Nigerian talents in the global music scene.
The talents and! doggedness of young Nigerians who have refused to give up on the country are the inspiration for a greater future that we celebrate today,” he said.
Falegan added: “The energy of the Nigerian youth is a formidable force in the consternation of manpower and skills that power the global economy. “
He said that across the globe and in various fields of human endeavour, Nigerians had proven to have the competence to rival any of their peers from any part of the world.
“That success – the gallantry of our youth – is the primal element of what we celebrate today as a nation.
“The challenge before us all is in ensuring that the political leadership in the country that we call home should be worthy of our pride as a people and not of telling embarrassment.
“Our democracy has triumphed so far due to the fidelity of our conviction that a democracy, when properly nurtured, should bring out the best in us and of us.
“As Nigerians, we are all not unfamiliar with the hardships in the economy, security, and other vital aspects of our society,” Falegan said.
“While I enjoin us all to submit our strengths in faith to the Almighty God, we must be prepared to do our best to pull the country back from this point of uncertainty to a place of common safety.”
As Nigeria marks another milestone in her checkered history, the primal challenges she grappled with over six decades ago continue to frustrate one generation after another,he said.
“For Nigerians, independence brought hope in the possibility of a future where the country could do better across all development indices; hope that its challenges would gradually give way to massive development. Many hoped the infrastructure deficit and other challenges that pervaded the previous years would finally be addressed.
However, not many people foresaw the negative possibilities on the other side of self-governance,he lamented.