A significant part of building a great nation is both in words and actions of all citizens motivated by the patriotism and the collective efforts of citizens and leaders alike.
These were some of the highlights of remarks by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, (SAN) late Friday at the formal presentation and launch of a book; “The Memory of Seasons,” written by a journalist, Arukaino Umukoro.
The event in Abuja was themed; “Conversations on Nigeria’s Unity in Diversity: Challenges, Opportunities.” The book, a collection of poems on nationhood, faith, life and humanity, was published by Eternalfilez Publishing, the event’s organisers.
According to a statement by his media aide, Laolu Akande, the vice president, who was the special guest of honour at the event held at the Shehu Musa Yar ‘Adua Centre, Abuja, noted that “a big part of nation building is talking up your nation.”
He said; “Every country talks up their own country. People of every country talk up their own country. When we get home, we can criticise ourselves, but we must talk up our country. What are the narratives that we push about Nigeria?
“The stories of nations written by others focus on their own agendas, the agendas of the authors. The negatives, of course, sell more and much faster, we must tell our own stories.
“We belong to one side, and that side is the Nigerian side. Someone was talking about Arsenal a few moments ago, that Arsenal would win this premier league. Because that’s our side, we take the side. They may not be the best, they may not win all the time, but that’s our side; this country is our side. So, we must talk up this country, continue to talk it up and make sure that in every way we can, we give the very best impression of our country.
“Our country is not its politicians, it’s not even its religious leaders, it’s not its business leaders, it is you and me. Our country cannot be defined by any group of people, any political party or the head of a political party or whoever else. It is defined by us, all of us; those of us who were born Nigerians, born by Nigerians or who become Nigerians by naturalisation.”
Prof. Osinbajo noted; “Our stories must be stories of our aspirations, our dreams and our hopes planted on the successes of our journey and the future of great hope, because we have incredible talents and material resources, and already on that journey, we are very far ahead.
“And I think the poem, Imagine Nigeria, which is in the book, captures the story we want to tell the world; and I’m going to read portions of it just to encourage us.”
