Why Nigerians Should Celebrate Amalgamation – Elechi

Governor  Martin Elechi of Ebonyi State said that Nigerians had every reason to celebrate the nation’s 100 years of amalgamation.

He said this in his New Year message to the people of the state at a Christian Mass held at the Government house chapel, Abakaliki.

Elechi said, “Despite the many challenges the nation had faced and still facing, it is necessary to celebrate her successes, rather than dwelling in her failures as a nation.

“We have had many trying periods ranging from military coups to bloody civil wars and other socio- political upheavals; but we have remained one strong indivisible entity”.

“The occasion of our centenary anniversary will indeed provide us a moment to reflect on how far we have journeyed as a nation; and how to channel energy towards overcoming our challenges. “To me, the celebration is coming at very right time and we thank God for keeping us united in spite of many odds and challenges,’’ he added.

He enjoined the people to march into the year 2014 with confidence and optimism, while advising them to resist all forces of darkness and disunity.

“We should enter into 2014 with confidence, hope and optimism that it will be much better than 2013. “I urged everyone to be focused and remain fervent in prayers for those in constituted authority,’’ he said.

The governor predicted that the 2015 elections would be free, fair and would also reflect the collective wishes and aspirations of the citizenry.

He dismissed insinuations that the 2015 general elections would be characterised by violence and bloodshed.

“We refuse to agree that with the dooms’ day prophets who have prophesied violence and bloodshed in the 2015 general elections.”The election will be free, fair and credible and will reflect our genuine wishes and aspiration as a nation,’’ he said.

In his sermon, the Chaplain of the Government House Chapel, Rev. Fr Emmanuel Njoku, urged Nigerians to embrace the peace and also love one another.

He challenged Nigerian leaders to lead with the fear of God, reminding them that they would give account of their stewardship to their creator.

The cleric advised the people to be steadfast and hold on to God.

“The year 2014 will come with lots of prophesy and some will be genuine, while others will be meant to destabilise the polity. “We need as a people to be focused and steadfast in our collective and individuals prayers for the country,’’ Njoku said.