Nigeria At 61: We Still Have Blessings To Count – Joshua Nicholas

1. Greetings Good people of Nigeria
2. On this special occasion of our 61st Independence Anniversary, I stand in solidarity with all Nigerians across the globe. 
3. I want to assure you all that the wailing moments will soon be over. Where there’s a wailing, there’s a winning. 
4. I start my speech today by bringing to our remembrance the heroic lines of Johnson Oatman’s lyrics. It reads:
5. “When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,Count your many blessings, name them one by one,And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
6. Refrain:Count your blessings, name them one by one,Count your blessings, see what God has done!Count your blessings, name them one by one,Count your many blessings, see what God has done.[And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.]”
7. This may be the situation of many of us in Nigeria today. Yes there are a lot of bleeding as many things doesn’t seem going right.Kidnappings – killings – banditry – insurgency – secession agitations – ethnic and religious disunity – inflation – highest cost of  living – poor getting poorer – masses  in mass suffering – the odds are overwhelming.
8. Of a truth the system is in desperate need of an entire overhauling. But can we concentrate a little on our blessings? Yes I know there are bleeding but focusing on it alone is loop sided and unhealthy. 
9. The National Social Investment Programmes 10. The first overhaul of the Police Act since it was originally enacted in 1943.11. Federal budgets accompanied by dedicated and specific reform legislation to support implementation
12. The Deep offshore and inland basin Act 13. The petroleum industry bill now law.14. The TSA
15. Transformation of the Nigerian transport sector to inclusive railways across the country 16. The flag off of the Ogoni clean up17. Private refineries, private deep sea ports 18 Completion of 7 irrigation projects; 12 inherited Dam projects; 3 inherited Hydro power projects19. Completion of the NDDC HQ
20. Successes of our youngsters in the international scene: Wizkid, Burnaboy, Sinach; sport athletes, Anthony Joshua, etc21. UI and Covenant universities amongst the top 1000 and 500 in the world respectively.
22. And so many other blessings numerous to mention.
23. Together with hope, unity and purpose we shall overcome; we shall Excel; we shall win: gloriously, we shall triumph.
24. Yes! It might be looking bleak and not promising but it is in such cases that God shows his super power.
25. I see a Nigeria of greatness despite all that’s happening, there’s still a Nigeria of my dreams awaiting announcement, waiting to be unveiled, the Nigeria soon to be unleashed, the Nigeria of mega opportunities and premium destinies.
26. The tides are turning!The narratives are changing!It is either you join the team or you stay left out. 
27. The potentials in Nigeria is not found anywhere in the world; Nigeria is the depot of global mega destinies; the salvation of cosmos is in residual in the soil of Nigeria.
28. Nigeria is blessed.Happy 61st Independence Anniversary Nigeria The world awaits your greatness.
29. In same vein, I extend my pleasantries to the people and Nation of Cyprus and also the Nation of Tuvalu who shares same Independence day with Nigeria. Happy Independence Celebration to you. 
30. On this note, I enjoin all Nigerians to come together, regardless of race, tribe, religion, gender, party and all forms of differences as we build our Nation and make her the pride of the earth. WAZOBIA
31. Thank you!
Mr. Nigeria Joshua Nicholas