Nigeria’s Envoy to the Republic of Cameroon, Ambassador Gabriel Abayomi Olonisakin, has urged Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to close ranks and work for the ultimate glory and greatness of the Nigerian nation irrespective of ethnic, regional, religious and other affiliations.
He said that the call had become necessary to actualize the noble vision of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government in creating a solid foundation for a united Nigeria with a sustainable national economy for the collective welfare and well being of all Nigerians.
Ambassador Olonisakin, who was the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), stated this at an occasion organized by the High Commission of Nigeria in Cameroon to mark Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary celebrations in Yaounde, the Cameroonian capital.
According to him, Nigeria is blessed with the best minds and talents around the world judging by their exploits in medicine, science, technology, sports, arts, etc, remarking that their ingenuity and resourcefulness were virtues to elicit pride regardless of antics of detractors amplifying artificial fault-lines among Nigerians.
“Nigeria is a beautifully diverse country and we must all rise up to lift the greatness in it. We are blessed to have the most important asset any nation requires for growth and development, which is human capital. It is an indication that what binds us together, and the common aspiration we share is stronger than our diversity.
‘’Similarly, the creativity of ingenuity and resourcefulness of the Nigerian at home have resulted in globally recognized endeavors. Our country is indeed a nation to be proud of despite some arguments to the contrary by our detractors who seek to amplify our artificially contrived fault-lines.
“Our National Day celebration always elicits great feelings both at home and particularly for those of us in the diaspora in all parts of the world. It is the day that underscores our resolve for national identity as Nigerians, irrespective of our ethnic, religious or other affiliations.
‘’We must not allow the wishes of our detractors to define us and we must be resolved to stand together, shoulder-to-shoulder as Nigerians, whether at home or in the diaspora”.
Ambassador Olonisakin who, accompanied by his wife, Omobolanle and key functionaries of the High Commission, had recently concluded a 5-day working tour of Cameroon’s Littoral Region where he met Nigerian businessmen and interest groups from the entire Nigerian community in Douala, commended Nigerians in Cameroon for being peaceful and law-abiding.
The independence anniversary event which was held at Hilton Hotel, Yaounde, was attended by the Dean and members of the Diplomatic Corps, senior government officials and other dignitaries who came to share the moment with the Nigerian High Commission in Cameroon.
Ambassador Olonisakin expressed gratitude to the government and people of the Republic of Cameroon led by President Paul Biya whom he described as a strong pillar of the good relationship between Nigeria and Cameroon.
“I commend you all for your hard work, good behaviour and above all, your law-abiding disposition. I must add that your individual and collective efforts, not only contributed to the economy of your host communities and country but also contributed to the economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in several ways,” he said.
Olonisakin noted that Nigeria was facing its own unique challenges just like every other country in the world but he gave assurance that President Buhari’s government was working assiduously to ensure a safe and secure Nigeria essential for building a sustainable economy for all Nigerians.
“I assure you that the Federal Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari is working to put an end to insecurity in Nigeria. He is working to ensure Nigeria remains a safe home for everybody outside the country. The results of these efforts are already manifesting in the several successes achieved against the Boko Haram insurgents and other criminalities in Nigeria”, he said.
The retired army chief also commended the collaborative efforts of the Nigeria-Cameroon Trans-Border Security Committee which met in Abuja recently, saying that it was a defining moment of collective effort.
“It is important to appreciate the government and people of Cameroon for this collaboration which is aimed at ensuring collective peace and progress for our both countries.
“Security issues continue to emerge, particularly on our continent, while threats to our growing democracies linger. However, we must be united in our condemnation of threats and protection of legitimate and democratic institutions of governance and leadership.
“Every country, just like every individual, has a shared responsibility towards ensuring the health, peace and prosperity of our world. We have to join hands in overcoming the pandemic by making vaccines more available and equitable to all.
‘’Disputes, when they arise, as they are bound to, must be resolved amicably via dialogue and other peaceful conflict resolution mechanisms”, he said.
The series of events lined up by the Nigeria High Commission in Cameroon to mark Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary moved later to a cocktail party in Yaounde which many Nigerians reportedly attended as a mark of honour and respect for Ambassador Olonisakin whose arrival in the country the Nigerian community is still celebrating as the dawn of a new era.
