The former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, says that Nigerian democracy can only endure when it delivers tangible hope, security for our communities, opportunities for our elders and justice for all.
Isola, who stated this in his new year message made available on Thursday in Abuja, touched on the joint responsibilities of the political leadership and the citizenry in nurturing democracy.
He charged Nigerians to let year 2026 be a turning point for all.
He said that a new year is more as a change of calendar.
“The year 2026 must therefore be a turning point-a year when leadership is guided by conscience, competence and compassion; a year when governance truly reflects the aspirations of the people; a year when citizenship is defined not only by rights but by responsibility,” he said.
Isola extended his greetings to all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora as well as all friends of Nigeria across the globe,
He said the new year “invites us to look back with honesty, forward with hope, and inward with responsibility. ”
According to him, political leadership must listen more and serve better.
“At the same time, citizens must remain engaged, peaceful, vigilant and constructive in holding leadership accountable,” he added.
Isola stressed that “As a nation richly blessed with cultural diversity, natural resources and human capital, Nigeria’s greatest strength lies in unity of purpose.”
He added that “Our differences; ethnic, religious, political; should never be instruments of division, put pillars of balance and mutual respect.”