Concord Times (Freetown)
13 October 2008
Adeze Ojukwu is the Chair Person of Media Committee in the Nigerian National Union in Sierra Leone. She also lectures at the Department of Mass Communications, Fourah Bay College, (FBC) University of Sierra Leone. She covered the 48th Nigerian Independence Celebration in Freetown and writes on the Carnival.
The 48th Nigerian Independence celebrated every October 1 may have come and gone. But the memories remain fresh in the minds of many nationals and our Sierra Leonean neighbours.
Thousands of flag-waving Nigerians defied the heavy rains on Wednesday. Gaily-dressed in green-white-green national colours, Nigerians converged at the Nigerian house, for the motorized road show.
From the Nigerian Embassy, located at the centre of the town on Siaka Stevens Street, men and women from various walks of life sang and danced joyfully through the streets of Freetown. Name them. Doctors, lecturers, lawyers, bankers and business tycoons were all there. Resounding home tunes kept the moving train in high spirits.
It was very heart moving to watch fellow citizens gyrating happily to popular songs as 'kpo ya chukwu na o ga za' and Osita Osadebe's 'Osondi Owendi' was very heart-moving.
Indeed Sierra Leoneans said they had never witnessed such an impressive Nigerian Independence celebration most Nigerians made similar observations.
According to most nationals credit for the outstanding performance goes to the new High Commissioner Chief Godson Echegile, who worked assiduously with the newly inaugurated Executive of the Nigerian National Union (NNU) in Sierra Leone.
Ably led by Architect Onomake, the Union and the Embassy galvanized support of patriotic Nigerians and corporate organizations, particularly the banks to make this year's Nigerian Day a memorable event.
Several weeks before the D-day, Amb. Echegile and Onomake launched the Anniversary Plan with a dinner for corporate Nigeria and Chief Executives.
Undoubtedly most Nigerian banks including UBA, GTB, Skye, Access, and Ecobank as well as a consortium of top business enterprises threw their weight behind the vision of Amb. Echegile and Onomake to make the 48th Independence Anniversary remarkable.
In the views of the amiable envoy, Nigerians should use the platform to showcase the country's ideals and contributions to peace and development to the region.
He reiterated similar words at Family Kingdom, Aberdeen, at the all Nigerian lunch to culminate the 10-km walk.
Said he: 'Of course 48 years is but a flash in the unfathomable vastness of ethereal order.'
He continued: 'nonetheless, this is a milestone for which we are obliged to thank God and to roll out drums in celebration of one indivisible quest for development.'
The High Commissioner hailed the historic links between the two countries saying: 'the high-level of bilateral relations between Nigeria and Sierra Leone has been widely acknowledged.'
According to the quintessential Ambassador, during those years of grim struggles for sway in the regrettable civil hostilities, Nigeria, it should be recalled 'rallied ECOWAS member states in support of the legitimate government.'
'Nigeria equally mobilized its own human and tremendous financial resources alongside the efforts of international actors to ensure a successful resolution of the political disorder,' he added.
Nor has the train of rugged partnership ebbed, he noted pointing out that Nigeria has continued to assist efforts of Sierra Leone in its quest to re-construct and modernize.' 'The evidences are there for all to see,' he insisted.
Currently over 40 Nigerian professionals under the Technical Aids Corps (TAC) are working in various academic and health institutions across the country including Fourah Bay College (FBC), Freetown, Eastern Polytechnic, Kenema, Milton Margai College of Education and College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) Freetown. TAC is a Nigerian Government initiative to boost education and development in the Pacific, Asia and Africa.
He assured compatriots engaged in conventional endeavours of the utmost support of the high commission. 'Your rights will be defended at all times within the provisions of international treaties and conventions.'
He appealed to nationals 'to tread the orthodox path of legality in our host country. We should abhor any negative activities that hold aloft the possibility of our country and its people being cast in unsavoury.'
Corroborating NNU President called for peaceful existence between Nigerians and their host communities. He dismissed allegations of widespread criminality among Nigerian residents. Onomake insisted that the numbers of nationals linked to dubious activities were exaggerated.
Hear him: 'Nigerians are partners and not criminals. Those who hold a negative perception about Nigeria and Nigerians, I am sure have little knowledge about the country and its people. Mind you, we are estimated to be 150 million persons so this should also be factored in.'
NNU President further explained that in the coming the union would initiate and execute specific developmental and social projects to showcase Nigerian ideals and standards.
'What we intend to do now is to educate our host communities on the true and noble identity of our dear country, rightly called the Giant of Africa'.
Stressing the cultural links between the two English-speaking West African countries, Onomake called on the two sides to seek and promote ideals that will boost good relations as well as peace in Sierra Leone and the region in general.'
Minister of Information Ibrahim Kargbo in his remarks stated that the bilateral relationship that exists between the republican of Nigeria remains cordial.
'It is a country of 140 million and they are generally good people despite some bad eggs. The bottom line is that as a government, we hold the Nigerian Government in high esteem and we see them as people who can provide leadership for West Africa.'
Kargbo further noted that Nigerians 'are in this country to help develop the private sector. The presence of Nigerians and influx of Nigerian businesses is consistent with the ECOWAS protocol which allows for the free movement of persons, goods and services across borders of ECOWAS countries."
According to him, over the years Nigerian nationals have contributed to growth in education, health and human resource development of Sierra Leone within the framework of the South-South co-operation, as well as in the spirit of ECOWAS and African unity'.
Indeed this year's Nigerian has been widely hailed as a huge success by Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans alike. The program formally started on Friday with an Anniversary prayer at the Hausa Mosque, Freetown. The National Christian service held at Sanctuary Praise Church, Brookfields.
On Tuesday September 30, Amb Echegile and NNU President fielded questions from various local and international media organizations in Freetown.
Despite the two-hour delay due to the down-pour, on Wednesday, Nigerians trooped out in great numbers for the road show and other anniversary events.
The Anniversary climaxed with a gala night which featured colorful cultural dances by Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa communities.
Earlier the ambassador hosted a cocktail for the diplomatic corps and top dignitaries in his residence.
Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans alike were enthused by the impressive outing as many relished popular Nigerian dishes as Pepper soup, Nkwobi, Okro and Egusi soups.
Sarah Kamara a journalist said "Hurray to Nigeria. I celebrate with you at 48. I enjoyed the walk, songs and delectable dishes."
Abu Ibrahim, a businessman hailed the leadership. "You guys can organize. Nigeria is truly a giant. Your commitment to business is unparalleled in the region."
Solomon President Bible Study Union, (BSU), FBC, gave his remarks in exuberant terms. "I love Nigeria. I recall Gen. Tanko and other ECOMOG soldiers who saved my life and my fellow countrymen. We owe a lot to you for your leadership and selfless service to our country and general. God bless Nigeria.'
Sule Sankoh, a banker said "he cannot afford to ignore Nigeria. They remain the high brother in Africa. Look at the big Nigeria banks dotting the streets of Freetown and offering employment to numerous jobless Sierra Leoneans. I hail Nigeria. Long live the partnership between Nigeria and Sierra Leone.'
The list of top dignitaries that attended the Anniversary includes: Ambassadors Nosratollah Maleki-Iran and Rolf Salymann-Germany. Others are Ag Executive Rep UN Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL) Michael V. der Schlenburg, Chief Executive Engr Mathew Edevbie, Major (rtd) Alfred Conteh Minister of Defence and his Colleague at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, Dr Joseph Sesay.
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