Ambassador A. O. Idowu’s 53rd Independent Anniversary Speech - Distinguished Representative of the President of the Republic of Lebanon, H.E. Michel Sleiman, also representing the Caretaker Prime Minister, H.E. Najib Mikati, in person of His Excellency, Walid El Daouk, - Distinguished Representative of the Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, H.E. Nabih Berri, in person of His Excellency, Mr. Ali Bazzi, - Distinguished Representative of the Lebanese Foreign Minister, H.E. Adnan Mansour, in person of Ambassador Wafic Rheimi, - Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, H.E. Monsignor Gabriella Da Caccia, - Your Excellencies, Heads of Diplomatic and Consular Mission, and International Organization accredited to Lebanon, - Distinguished members of the Board of Trustees and Interim Committee of the Lebanese Nigerian Friendship Association (LENIFRA), - Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen. Today is yet another epoch making occasion in the history of our great country, Nigeria, and on this particular note, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the celebration of Nigeria’s 53rd Independence Anniversary. Our experiences since independence have clearly shown that Nigeria and its people have taken their destinies into their hands and exhibited necessary courage, ability, industry and commitment to nation-building. This demonstration of commitment to building a free and egalitarian society and display of nationalism have indeed paid off in the sense that today, within the ambit of various developmental efforts, Nigeria is proud of having recorded significant successes in different spheres, such as :- economic, social, political, educational, agricultural, tourism and technological development. Though, along the line, we had witnessed and still witnessing challenges here and there, as is usually the case with all developing countries, I am confident to assert that Nigeria has not lagged behind in transforming from a rural and agrarian based economy to one of the three countries in Africa with the most developed economies. Apart from the fact that the country is currently recording an annual growth rate of 7-9%, she has, also, joined the league of countries that would be prided as those with the most developed economies in the world by the year 2020. Our strength as a nation lies in the unity we have built within the diversities of tribe, language, religious and ethnographic configurations. This unity has continued to bind us together as one nation with common aspirations. Despite recent security challenges due to the negative impact of global terrorism, we have forged ahead in our quest for the installation of an egalitarian society where everyone would realize their potentials. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Transformation Agenda of President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has continued to grow in leaps and bounds. And results of this initiative are currently being manifested in several developmental projects in Agriculture, Tourism, Transportation, Hospitality, Oil and Gas, Energy, Education, Health and Social Infrastructure and urban development. In addition, our power sector reform has recorded remarkable progress with the invitation and encouragement of Private Power Companies to participate in the new power sector road-map. The government has taken decisive measures to curtail the activities of the terrorists and relative peace has returned to those areas where they hitherto operated. Similarly, several security measures have been put in place to protect lives and properties. In view of the climate of opportunities now available in Nigeria, I, hereby, call on other Lebanese investors and our friends alike, to join the fast moving train of development in Nigeria. In terms of the Lebanese – Nigerian relations, I am delighted to report the tremendous success recorded this year with the visit to Nigeria of His Excellency General Michel Sleiman in March. That unprecedented visit of the President of the Republic, accompanied by about 80 member high-power delegation, which included government officials and business entrepreneurs, has opened a vista of greater collaboration between Nigeria and Lebanon. As a follow-up to the understanding generated by that visit, and especially to build a coalition of willing allies against global terrorism, a high-level Nigerian delegation of our Security Chiefs visited Lebanon in June 2013 and had useful audience with President Sleiman. In addition to all these successes being recorded in our relations, I want to place on records that I have enjoyed the friendship, support and cooperation of many Lebanese agencies, organizations, companies and individuals in the discharge of our diplomatic mandates. I would, therefore, like to acknowledge and thank the following for their friendship and support. They are:- Lebanese-Nigerian Friendship Association (LENIFRA), Mr. Willian Zard, Mr. Faysal El-Khalil, Mr. George Nabhan, Mr. Ronald Chauguory, Mr. Said Khalaf, Mr. Essam Deeb, Mr. Habib Chidiac, Mr. Hani Safieddine, Mr. Essam Moukarem, Mr. Habib Jaafar, Mr Adlib Jubaili and Mr. Haida Jabara to mention but a few. Also, companies like Setraco Nigeria Ltd., Seven Up Bottling Company Nig. Ltd., Consolidated Construction Company Nig. Ltd, Boulous Enterprises Nig. Ltd., Karing5 Nig. Ltd., Daniel Travels, Silver Wings Travel Agency, Dan-Handasah and Enerco Nig. Ltd. have been tremendous in their support to the Mission. Your Excellencies, the occasion of our 53rd independence celebration has given us the needed opportunity to, once again, renew to the international community, the unalloyed commitment to our laudable contributions to the maintenance of international peace and security under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other regional bodies which are critical to ensuring peaceful resolution of conflicts. In this connection, we promise to continue to discharge our lofty duties within the West African Sub-Region, Africa and the world community at large. In the light of the aforementioned, Your Excellencies, would you, therefore, join me in toasting to the health of our two countries as I say: Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria! Long Live the Republic of Lebanon!! Long Live the Nigeria – Lebanon Relations!!! Shukran.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 03:20:42 +0000
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