Nigeria is set to mark its 64th Independence Day on October 1, and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) is pulling out all the stops to make it a memorable occasion.
Comrade Lucky Emonefe, NANS President, in a press conference on Thursday, announced a nationwide campaign to promote patriotism among students, who are the future leaders of the country.
Emonefe emphasised the significance of Independence Day, recalling the struggles and sacrifices of Nigeria’s forefathers who fought against colonialism.
He noted that while the country has made progress, there’s still much to be done, and it’s essential for citizens to rally around their leaders and country.
Emonefe lamented that many Nigerians take their independence and existence as one country for granted, forgetting the brutish and merciless life lived by their grandfathers under colonialism.
He stressed that supporting leaders is essential, even when disagreeing with their policies, as their failure is a collective one.
To rekindle patriotism, NANS has planned various activities including special prayers that will be held in mosques and churches across campuses to pray for Nigeria’s prosperity and guidance for its leaders.
He said: “In line with our desire to bolster a sense of pride in our country, especially among our students population, who are the future leaders, the national leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) plans a nationwide campaign to promote patriotism. We are using the opportunity of the forthcoming Independence Day celebrations to pilot this plan through a serious of activities lined up nationwide.
“As the former American president and sage, John F Kennedy famously said in his inaugural speech as the 35th President of the United States, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country’.
“I am pleased to inform you that NANS under my leadership has planned a series of activities to ginger up our dear members, our respected students to own up their country and for us all to celebrate Nigeria in a grand way.
“Aside this press conference and ongoing tour of campuses nationwide, I hereby direct all our comrade leaders across all tertiary institutions in Nigeria to convene special Friday prayers tomorrow in mosques tomorrow to pray for this great country.
“On Sunday, special prayers will also take place across all churches located on our campuses to pray to almighty God to protect our country, help it attain its full great greatness and direct our leaders aright.
“On Tuesday, being the Independence Day, mass rallies will hold on major campuses across the country to celebrate our dear motherland. The events would feature street carnival, Know-Your-Country quiz, cultural displays, among others.
“In addition, on the same day, we will hold major convergence at the Unity Fountain in Abuja and at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota, Lagos, where students from major institutions around those two locations will hold an all-day programme to commemorate our Independence Day.
“These events are meant to express pride in our country, express gratitude to God for our survival despite all challenges and celebrate the milestones we have achieved. It is also a statement that we Nigerian students will not join forces with negative people who have evil intentions against this country. We cannot be deceivdd into putting our house on fire over whatever guise.
“While we can express reservations over specific actions or policies of those who are in power today we will never allow any such difference to make us disparage out country and drag it down. That is not patriotism.“
Emonefe urged students to participate en masse, demonstrating solidarity with their fatherland.
He emphasized that true patriotism involves supporting leaders while expressing reservations over specific actions or policies.
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