A former presidential candidate, Dumebi Kachikwu, has called on Nigerians irrespective of political alignment, religious beliefs and cultural differences to close ranks, come together and work for the unity, peace and progress of Nigeria in the New Year.
Kachikwu, who was the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 general elections, called on the leaders to pick up the gauntlet and return Nigeria to its past glory and rightful place in the comity of nations. He urged them to be more committed to the welfare, wellness and well-being of the citizens by tackling corruption, wastages, inequality, religious intolerance, security challenges and infrastructural deficit.
In his New Year Message titled “This Storm Has Been Around For Too Long”, the former presidential candidate said, “The beginning of a New Year is always a time for reflection and introspection. As we celebrate we also question our life’s journey; how far and how well? As Nigerians we all question our path to nationhood. Many can’t quite believe that the storms that buffeted our nation in the 60’s still overcast our skies today.
“Our developmental challenges still remain the same. Our unity still fissured and commitment to project Nigeria still questionable. For too long, we have played the blame game. We absolve ourselves of personal responsibility and blame politicians, public servants, other religions and ethnic nationalities for our many woes.
“The 2023 general elections further exacerbated our divisions and exposed our underbelly to the whole world. A people tired of the many failed promises of those who lead them now seek change at any cost. Who pays the price for change? This is the question we must answer as a people in the year 2024. For if we fail to answer this question, these storms will continue to wreak havoc in our nation.
“The storms of inequity and inequality. The storms of corruption and wastefulness. The storms of religious persecution and intolerance. The storms of infrastructure deficits and insecurity. What of our failed education and healthcare sectors? What of poverty and the all time high unemployment rate? Also storms but all man made storms. We can no longer pretend our problems are spiritual defying man-made solutions.
“We must begin to accept that the change we earnestly desire in every facet of society comes at a personal cost. We can’t continue to Jakpa to countries whose citizens have built their nations on the back of personal sacrifices. We can’t run away from the fact that the politicians and public servants we castigate are family, friends and neighbours. They are us. We are them. Our truths are self-evident , staring us in the face everyday.
“Social media vituperations won’t bring about the desired results. Hashtags will always remain hashtags. 2024 should be the year of truth. This is the year we all accept personal responsibility and make the personal sacrifices required to mitigate these storms. We can no longer be the picture of abnormal. The world must no longer associate us with wasted opportunities and squandered resources.
“We owe ourselves the duty to make our nation great. We owe the tens of millions of poor people a debt of love. Shortcuts will no longer do it. The price for change will alway remain the commitment to personal change for the greater good. This is the only way our many storms will abate. This is the only way our green, white and green flag will fly with pride amongst the flags of other nations.”
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