By Tony Edike
ENUGU – Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Callistus Onaga has called on Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or religion to put the interest and well being of the nation first in all they do.

Bishop Onaga made the call in his homily at a special thanksgiving church service to mark  Nigeria’s 51st independence anniversary celebration at Holy Ghost Cathedral, Ogui Enugu.

The Catholic Bishop noted that Nigerians have every reason to celebrate the event because despite the problems of the unfortunate civil war, civil strife and communal clashes, the country has remained united and an indivisible entity.

According to the bishop, the progress recorded in almost all phases of human endeavour in the past 51 years especially in the areas of education, telecommunication, human capital development, road network, among others is worth celebrating when compared with where we were during independence.

He advised Nigerians to cultivate the habit of counting the successes and gains made to move the nation forward rather than the losses and negative aspects of the country.

Bishop Onaga however, cautioned against what he described as “booby” traps and huddles in our lives which included, selfishness, intrigues, corruption, laziness, sexual immorality, sectionalism, materialism and power drunkenness especially among those in authority, and called for a change of attitude.

He pointed out that leaders should be caring, adding that those in government and politicians have the power and capacity to do good adding that “if people are crying or complaining, their leaders should ask them why and take steps to address them”.

The bishop who spoke on the topic “Nigeria as God’s Vine Yard,” reminded both the leaders and the led that one day, they will give account before God of what they did with the abundant gifts that He had blessed the nation with.

The man of God thanked Enugu state workers for the steps taken so far to call off their three week industrial action following the intervention of some Christian and traditional leaders in the state and expressed the hope that peace will continue to reign to make life better.

He recalled some of the things Governor Chime did for workers on assumption of office which included regular payment of salaries, recall of disengaged workers, security of lives and property and good road network among others.

In his brief remarks, the deputy governor of the state Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi who represented the governor said that Nigerians have good reasons to thank God as a nation especially when compared with “where we were and what we have now”.

Onyebuchi noted that Nigeria will be better if we changed our negative attitude, promote those values that unite rather than divide the people.

He used the occasion to thank Christians in the state for their prayers and support which made it possible for them to win the last election and called for their continued prayers to help them succeed.