I pledge to Nigeria my country,
To be faithful, loyal and honest,
To serve Nigeria with all my strength,
To defend her unity, and uphold her honour and glory,
So help me God.
This is my pledge handed down by birth, the Nigerian charged to serve. To raise the flag high with pride, the green white green waved in patriotism as I stand on my heroes past, poised to make their labours not be in vain. To waive the banner of freedom, raise the emblem of prosperity and speak with pride of a nation so blessed and of riches so vast. This is Nigeria and I am a Patriot!
This is my pride; the Nigerian Culture, the beauty of African diversity. Fabrics of creativity, melodies of pure African artistry, languages of beauty and the marvel of a tradition so rich and old showcasing our uniqueness. You would without thought join in the celebration, to laugh and share in the joy, in the happiness, in the beauty of diversity and in the presence of tolerance, respect, and peace.
My charge; to rise with vigor, the vibrant youth high with expectation, passionate about life, eager to pursue the Nigerian dream with hopes and push beyond every obstacle and boundary. To make meaning of hard work and perseverance regardless of the mountains of circumstance and make true the reality, that if I can make it at home, I can make it anywhere in the world.
My path; to stand with pride, a black man not defined by colour or history but by pure ingenuity, sheer will, and desire. To chant Black is beauty and being black doesn’t make it bad or backward. That being black is not a circumstance neither is it a stigma but rather it is who I am, created in beauty and blessed beyond the colour of my skin. Black and Proud!
But!
If 56 years has taught me anything it is that change never happens in an instant. It is a process; one that entails a lot of sacrifices and its own fair share of pain. And while progress may not seem forthcoming, we must never lose sight of our great future and continually strive to make our nation great. But Notwithstanding our efforts, we must never forget that human nature precedes any form of human reasoning. Men will always pursue self-interest as against national interest plundering every inch, grain, drop and coin of national wealth in the derailed mentality of every man for himself and God for us all while the masses suffer.
And so the message today is one of personal responsibility. Every Nigerian must be accountable for the growth and development of this nation. In as much as we have handed that responsibility to our leaders we must never forget that a nation only moves forward when all the parts of the whole work together contributing their own quota.
And rather than hang by the thin thread of hope, it is time for the eagle to take flight. No more murmurings and the vibrant debate of change in our homes and offices. No more “I no wan die, my wife dey for house, I wan enjoy, I get one child” mentality as the Afro-beat legend Fela put it. It is time to take action and shape today into a tomorrow worth striving for, a land truly flowing with milk and honey.
So to serve with heart and might is the great charge. One nation bound in freedom, peace, and unity!
Allah ya albarkace Najeriya
Chineke na-agọzi Naijiria
Olorun bukun NIGERIA
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY NIGERIA!
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