By Noimot Olayiwola/Staff Reporter
As Nigeria marked its 53rd Independence anniversary yesterday, the country’s ambassador Shuaibu Adamu Ahmed (pictured) urged his countrymen in Qatar to continue to pray for peace and unity of their country.
Nigeria, which has a population of more than 170mn people and over 250 ethnic groups, gained independence from Britain on October 1, 1960 amid high hopes and expectations.
However, more than 50 years after independence, the country is still struggling to remain stable as its existence is being threatened by political upheavals, ethnic and tribal clashes as well as religious crises.
“It is very critical for all of us Nigerians to pray for the unity of our country, especially our leaders. It will not be fair to just be apportioning blames on them (the leaders) and neglecting the need for prayers,” Ahmed said yesterday.
“There is no denying the fact that we are being besieged by a number of security challenges in small segments of the country; however, it is imperative to pray for total peace to return to Nigeria,” he said.
“We should be proud of our country, which has continued to keep as many as 250 tribes or ethnic groups together up till this moment and the fact that we’re still together for 53 years should make us proud,” Ahmed said.
He noted that the country has made tremendous progress in political arena, which is part of the freedom being enjoyed since democracy was reinstalled some 14 years ago.
He appealed to Nigerians in Qatar to continue to coexist peacefully and behave well to their hosts in Qatar.
Meanwhile, the embassy is planning to celebrate the 53rd Independence anniversary with two separate events.
A dinner will be held today at the St Regis Hotel from 7pm to 9pm for members of the diplomatic community, business community as well as Qatari government representatives and a select number of Nigerians resident in the country.
Another event will be held on October 5 at the Doha Marriot Hotel from 7pm for the entire community members of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation-Qatar Chapter.
Speaking about the achievements of the embassy since its opening some six months ago, the ambassador noted that Nigerians now have access to consular services such as issuance of documents, authentication of certificates as well as engaging in ‘conflict resolution’ among Nigerians who have problems with the employers or sponsors.
