By Emmanuel Adeniran
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has called on Nigerians to rise up and take their rightful place as the leading light of the black race.
Governor Akeredolu made the call at the 58th Independence Anniversary Thanksgiving Service at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Ondo Road, Akure.
The Thanksgiving Service was attended by the Governor, his wife, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Deputy Governor, Honourable Agboola Ajayi, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Bamidele Oleyelogun, the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Dr. Victor Kiladejo and the representative of Deji of Akure.
Others at the Church Service included the Security Service Chiefs in the State, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Olugbenga Ale, members of the State Executive Council and other Political Appointees.
In his homily, the Catholic Bishop of Ondo Diocese, Most Rev. Jude Arogundade, described the occasion of the Nigeria Independence Day Celebration as another opportunity to remind ourselves to build a Nation with Love and Unity.
He said “this is another opportunity to remind ourselves to pray to God for love and unity to pride our land”.
“This is a call to all of us to a sense of sincerity and commitment to pursue the vision upon which the Nation was founded. And pray for the presence of God. It’s not easy to lead especially when the followers are educated. It’s even more difficult to lead in a Country like Nigeria where our people are intelligent and well endowed.
“Nigerians are the most enterprising, hard working and educated all around the World. We have all the ability and intelligent to build the best Nation on Earth but we lack the moral will”, Most Rev. Arogundade submitted.
The cleric calls for a deep reflection on the vision of the Country and the need to seek integrity in all we do.
“I’m calling on everybody here to have a new attitude of doing things. We appreciate the leadership in Ondo State. Leadership is not about power but about purpose. Leadership is not even about popularity, it’s about integrity to lead. We must be ready to show integrity in all that we do. We have lost our true identity which is integrity”, he noted.
