By Jimitota Onoyume
PORT HARCOURT— SPEAKING against the backdrop of the recent bomb explosions, which resulted in loss of several lives in Abuja, on a day the nation was celebrating its 50th independence anniversary, the Nigerian Baptist church has called on Nigerians to seek the path of peace and love for one another.

Conference Secretary, Rivers State Conference of the Nigerian Baptist church, Reverend Ogadimma Jim-Odoi, who spoke at a national day service to mark the nation’s golden independence anniversary in First Baptist church, Bonny, Rivers State, said the nation was in dare need of social justice.

He enjoined the political leadership to take urgent steps to address challenges in the Niger Delta region, adding also that efforts should be made to assuage bitterness in all sections of the country.

He said though some people had raised questions on why Nigeria should celebrate its 50th anniversary, he was, however, of the view that  since God in His  mercy had not wiped the nation out of existence, it was enough reason for celebration.

He expressed the hope that the nation would achieve the dreams of its founding fathers just as he counselled against corruption and nepotism.

In their separate speeches Prof. Etannibi Alemika and the vicar of the church, Rev Olurotimi Olaniran enjoined Nigerians to shun the culture of violence and embrace peace and dialogue as a conflict resolution measures.

They also expressed faith the Nigerian federation just as they prayed that the negative predictions of other country leaders on the nation would not come to pass.

In a related development, a female activist in the Niger Delta and aspirant to the Federal House of Representatives, Doris Mcdaniels said the nation had the capacity of transforming into one of the top economies in the world.  She also urged leaders to shun corruption and other negative vices to make the nation attain its height of glory.

“We have squandered and stolen to the embarrassment of our children and those yet unborn. We can celebrate peace but we need to change our negative ways to transform into a great nation. I believe we will get there”.