The former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Omede Idris, Thursday, said, 60 years after Nigeria attained independence, her challenges are not insurmountable.
In his Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary message, the ex-NMA president, said despite the identified challenges confronting the country, Nigerians should thank God for sustaining the country.
Idris, who is also the former president of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), said going forward, the development of the nation should be the responsibility of all Nigerians, saying that nobody should stay aloof.
He said:”On this DIAMOND (60th) Independence of our nation,Nigeria, the journey to nation building has been of rainbow colour. The rise has been variable, the challenges are numerous, but in all, we must thank God for our lives as individuals and as a nation.
“As a nation we need to explore our potential more positively to the fullest in the era of disruptive technology and ICT, that form the fulcrum of leap in the 21st century and beyond. Focussed leadership, accountability, discipline, appropriate engagement/ participation of professional are foundational and fundamental to our socio economic, infrastructural and developmental breakthrough.
“Our democracy will only have more meaning and appreciated by our act, actions and pragmatism for a more decent, less violent electoral processes. Our attitude, approaches to election, approaches to positions of appointment, approaches to schedules and responsibilities as civil and public servants and approaches to opportunities in most instances and winner takes all posture, has made the cliche ” Power is taken, not given ” a negativity, misinterpreted and misused.
“The growth and development of the nation, is for all of us to partake. None should stay aloof. Collective efforts in nation building will advance and bring forth collective development.
“The challenges before us as a nation are not insurmountable, provided we have the strong will, determination and right frame of thoughts, mind and patriotism.”
