By NNANNA OKERE, VAASA
Nigerians living in Vaasa, Finland put up a colourful programme to celebrate Nigeria’s 58th Independence anniversary Monday, October 1.
The celebration started with a church service on September 30 at Vaasa City Church, Vaasa where they prayed for peace in resolving the security challenges in the country to enhance the rapid socio-economic advancement of the country especially as the country moves toward general elections in 2019.
On Monday, October 1, the proper celebration day as at 4.pm, Nigerians thronged to the venue of the event. Many Nigerians brought their friends from other nationals to have a taste of Nigeria’s hospitality.
The venue was the Fanny house as they were united by their quest to celebrate their fatherland. They decided to put the event together as their own contribution to promote Nigeria in a positive way. The event started with an opening prayer by Mr. Anthony Sopuruchukwu Ani. This was followed by the national anthem of Nigeria.
Dr. Ethelbert Nwokorie of the Department of Philosophy, University of Vaasa who is also the President of Nzuko Ndi-Igbo in Vaasa was handy in receiving the visitors by embracing and making them feel at home.
In his welcome speech, he noted with excitement the turnout of Nigerians to celebrate their fatherland in a foreign country. He urged Nigerians to be law abiding and always remember their root.
He used the occasion to welcome Nigerians who came to study in Finland and urged them to always put their studies first before any other considerations, as that was the primary aim of coming to Finland.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Finnish government for the opportunity given to most Nigerians to study in Finland free of charge and urged Nigerians to pray for Finland’s economic progress while they also pray for Nigeria.
Nwokorie commended the organisers for putting together the programme. He said: “It is interesting that Nigerians have put together this event to celebrate their country’s independence even when they are faced with the challenges of studying and work put together. This is not easy considering that so many of us have tight schedule because of work it entails a lot of sacrifice.”
He admonished Nigerians to forget about the country’s differences and see themselves as one family united by fate.
He lamented the state of insecurity back home, which he attributed to failure to adhere to the norms guiding the society.
Nwokorie, an Anti-Corruption Expert, called for restructuring of the country. This he said would produce a new power structure that would see true federalism in practice. “And by so doing, it would reduce the enormous power now concentrated at the centre.”
He stressed that powers needed to be concentrated at the regions not at the federal level so that they can develop more easily and discourage corruption at the centre. He insisted that it was only through that, that Nigeria could rediscover herself.
In his comments, Anthony Sopuruchukwu Ani one of the sponsors of the event expressed happiness with the zeal displayed by Nigerians in coming together to celebrate Nigeria at 58.
He then advised them to remain steadfast in their resolve to purse academic excellence in Finland. He challenged them to strive to acquire knowledge because knowledge is very important for “where as a king is respected in his palace alone, a knowledgeable man is respected everywhere.”
In his thought-provoking speech, Ani, a researcher at Abo Akademi University Vaasa and the Coordinator of the Center for African Child and War Victims (CFACWV), an NGO based in Finland, urged Nigerians back home to embrace dialogue as the only option in resolving the country’s challenges in order to promote peace, harmony and development.
He said the country cannot do without peace, unity and stability, adding that there is a clarion call throughout the universe to make peace with one another.
His words: “There is violence, crime, self-centered thoughts and evil desires because humanity has failed in the art of peace and refuse to understand the essence of living together in a society. We need peace among Nigerian ethnic groups for sustainable economic development.
“Nigeria faces economic recession, violence, hunger and political wobbling because the ethnic groups do not have each other’s interest at heart. Thus, children have fallen victims of such ugly situation. The best gift Nigeria can give her future generation as we celebrate independence is culture of peace. Children need good education, healthcare service, protection and above all humanity to trust”.
The climax of the event was the presentation of dances, songs and praises by Nigerians living in Finland. Varieties of Nigerian foods that cut across ethnic divide were thereafter served
.