Speeches

Special Gala Nite To Celebrate Some Of Nigeria’s Nation Builders Organized By Vivante The Media Enterprise

Oct 24, 2008 - I am highly pleased to join Professor Pat Utomi, the Management and Staff of Vivante-The Media Enterprise Limited at this unique event, the very first of its kind, to honour and celebrate people who have contributed to moulding our society.

This occasion reminds me of a sacred line from an inspired writer who says “we shall only be remembered by what we have done”. It is in the light of this that I want to commend the team for choosing to honour people who have contributed to the positive development of our nation in different spheres of life, people whose little contributions to ethical, socio-political and economic values challenge us daily.

The challenge of this particular ceremony to those of us present in this hall and in the larger society is clear- do nation builders still exist in Nigeria? Are we prepared to obey the national call to duty without considering what we stand to benefit, personally, by supplanting the interest of the larger community? How many of us are still motivated by patriotic and nationalistic fervour to seek the good of others over our own?

Nigerians are vilified on a daily basis, globally, for corrupt and unethical practices, even though, only a few bad eggs tarnish our image. I am happy to, however acknowledge, that we have millions of Nigerians whose achievements have impacted positively on the global community. We must continue to celebrate this category of Nigerians. Today’s ceremony, to me, is a clear testimony of the qualities of great Nigerians that have become role models.

I am aware that this ceremony is being organized to celebrate people who have impacted our lives in various spheres, such as His Eminence, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye and Alhaji Said Abubakar. They have acted as the moral conscience of our nation and motivated us as a people to be righteous in our daily lives, because as the Holy Book says: “righteousness exalts a nation and sin is a reproach to the people”.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I believe that we are witnessing a paradigm shift and the opening of a new chapter in the history of this country. I urge everyone present at this occasion to emulate the lives of our heroes, who are being celebrated today, because the satisfaction of having contributed to positive, social growth is the greatest reward anybody can receive. The contributions of some of these great Nigerians, who are being honoured today, in entrepreneurship, education, health, religion, social development, law and other spheres of human endeavour have become the bond that has made our nation great, among the comity of nations.

Once again, I congratulate Professor Pat Utomi, the Management and Staff of Vivante-The Media Enterprise Limited on this epoch making occasion of giving honour to whom honour is due by celebrating the lives of some of our nation’s finest minds, who have toiled in various ways to build a nation that we can all be proud of.

I, equally rejoice with the celebrants who have been identified through their various contributions which have touched on our lives as a people and a nation and I say a big “Thank You!”. I would like to urge you to continue to provide inspiration to younger generation through your exemplary lifestyle and leadership qualities.

May Nigeria never cease to produce great men and women and may we all play our part in contributing to the moral, social, political and economic rejuvenation of this great country.

I wish you all continued success, good health and more contributions to the development of our nation.

Thank you for listening and God bless.

Eko O Ni Baje O!

Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN),
Executive Governor,
Lagos State