From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said notwithstanding the security, economic, religious, and ethnic challenges, the collective vision of a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria, where righteousness abounds, still abides.

He said this at the 61st independence anniversary Inter-denominational Church service and the 45th anniversary service of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), at the National Ecumenical Centre, Abuja.

The event tagged: ‘Together, Come Let Us build’ was attended by representatives of the National Assembly, Judiciary, and members of the Federal Executive Council including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

Also in attendance were CAN President, Rev. Supo Ayokunle; the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye; among other eminent religious leaders.

According to the VP, “we have since become the most educated and most entrepreneurial nation in Africa. Ten of our 36 States have larger economies than at least 15 African countries. From our ranks, we have the most accomplished men and women, in the arts, the sciences, in sports, in technology and commerce.

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“Our current trials cannot draw the curtains on our story, because the vision is for an appointed time and because this country is greater than the sum of its parts and the sum of its mistakes; and because the God we serve is greater than the sum of our collective hopes and imagination, our nation will surmount our current travails and emerge in victory.”

“61 years ago, our founding fathers laid out a vision, that the many nations and ethnicities, North and South of the Niger, 300 languages or more, differing tribes, and religions, would by the grace of God become one Nation. That their diverse strengths and gifts would coalesce into a formidable economic and regional force. And that these united nations may become the largest aggregation of black people on earth. A beacon of hope to all peoples of African descent, long bruised by the afflictions of slavery and colonial exploitation. Nigeria will be the reaffirmation of their dignity and a tonic to their spirits. 

“The Lord blessed the vision and prospered the land with richness in oil, in gas, in minerals of every hue.  In fruit trees, in palm trees, in crops of every kind, in savannahs and forests, arable land, seas, rivers, and the riches embedded in them.

“That vision of our forebears inheres in the words of our National Motto: Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress. 

“Through the years, we worked that vision, through thick and thin. From subjection to colonial monarchy, to a sovereign republic, to civil rule to military rule. We fought a bitter war amongst brothers that cost millions of lives, and though we still wear the deep scars of those wounds, the Lord preserved the Republic.”

He expressed concerns that the nation’s path has been dogged by conflict; religious and ethnic, economic challenges, insurgencies and banditry.