NIPR Celebrates Nigeria
NIPR Celebrates Nigeria at 59
As the country celebrates its 59th independence anniversary, the
Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, (NIPR) felicitates with all
Nigerians on the attainment of this milestone.
At 59, Nigeria, no doubt has come a long way, and has earned the
rights to blow some trumpet, coming out of teething challenges in
one piece and playing several admirable leadership roles at the
regional, continental and even the wider world stage across
time.
But are we today, where the world expected us to be at the time,
we gained independence? The entire world was in near unanimous
agreement at the time of our independence in 1960 that we were a
potentially great nation.
One question to which we must find an answer is: have we gone
beyond being a potentially great nation? How much have we succeeded
in harnessing that “potentiality?” We have no doubt come a long way
as a country these past 59 years, gone through and surmounted a lot
of challenges even as new ones naturally and understandably
emerge.
Even though nation building is always a work in progress, 59
years of independence is no doubt a long enough period for stock
taking. It is therefore imperative that even as we thump our
chests, we must not allow the euphoria of celebration to becloud
our sense of introspection. We owe a duty to ourselves and
generations yet unborn an honest soul searching that should lead to
the asking of some pertinent, even if difficult and embarrassing
questions.
As Nigeria clocks 59 years as an independent nation, it is an
opportune moment for all of us, as citizens and stakeholders, to
hold up a mirror to ourselves, to reflect on those good values that
were the basis for the perception of our potential greatness at
independence.
We must also try to find out and tell ourselves the truth as to
what we have done, or failed to do as individual citizens and as a
collective, which may have been slowing our march. Building a great
nation being the collective will, efforts and mindset of one
generation after another, we must resolve to work together once
again in harmony to fast-track the attainment of that greatness
that is our destiny.
A great and prosperous Nigeria is possible. This 59th
anniversary therefore, must serve as a reminder to all of us,
leaders and citizens alike, that, it is time for us as a nation to
chart a new beginning that will lead us into prosperity and
advancement in all spheres of human endeavors, having being
immensely blessed by God with a variety of endowments, human,
material and otherwise.
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), uses this
period of the nation’s 59th independence anniversary to recommit
itself to the task of global rebranding of Nigeria. We pledge our
support to the government as it strives to curb corruption, bolster
the economy, consolidate democratic governance, and address
regional issues, including, breaking the cycle of violent extremism
banditry and insurgency across regions of the federation.
As an Institute of relationship builders and menders, NIPR also
pledges to work closely with the government to work on the fabrics
that hold this country, which have seen better days, by coming up
with programmes and projects that will rebuild the confidence of
Nigerians in one another, to further strengthen and enhance mutual
relations and cooperation for peace and stability, which are a sine
qua non for sustainable development.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mukhtar Zubairu Surajo, FNIPR
PRESIDENT/CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL