President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday urged black citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to dump slave mentality and play critical and leading roles in the world of commerce, economics, science and technology, saying slavery should produce leaders.
“It is only proper for us to note that the black man all over the world has passed through several challenges from slavery, colonialism and apartheid in South Africa. Even for those of us still living in the continent of Africa, we are so partitioned and bulganised without our interest and in some cases people of the same culture are placed in two, three different countries. That is even still a challenge to us today which is why we are still struggling to govern our states in Africa”, he stated.
Speaking at the Lidj Omowale Emancipation Village, Queens Park Savannah for the Emancipation Day Culture Programme, Jonathan regretted that Nigeria has not been following religiously the celebration of the day with citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, despite moving for the day to be recognized in 2006 at the African Union, his visit was to reassure them that the country identifies with their struggle.?
Claded in his trade mark black bowler hat and Niger Delta outfit to match,? Jonathan told attendees at Wednesday's parade in Port-of-Spain that strong ancestral links bind the two countries.
He said, “But one I know and one thing I believe and one thing I also know you believe, is that we must put this history behind us and move forward. For those of us who are Christians, we were taught by the Holy Bible that the God's own people were enslaved and through that enslavement, great leaders like Moses came up and led the people to the promised land. Definitely this emancipation match that we are commemorating today, is not only to take the people of Trinidad and Tobago to the promise but to take the Blackman to the promised land.
“And that promised land that we are matching to is not to relocate anybody to any other point of the globe, that promised land is for us the blacks in the world to take our stand, rediscover ourselves and use this period as a turning point to play a noble role in the world.?
This is a society, a world, a globe that is controlled by science and technology, a society that is controlled by industry, a society that is controlled by commerce, a society that is controlled by economics. This emancipation struggle that we are identifying with today is to take us to that promised land that the black man, will one day also be at the top and dictate to the rest of the world”.?
Pointing out that the blackman all over the world has passed through several challenges from slavery, colonialism and apartheid in South Africa, Jonathan said the balganization and partitioning which has led to people of the same culture being placed in two, three different countries, is responsible for the continued struggle by some african states today to govern successfully.
Interrupted at intervals by rapturous applause, Jonathan urged the people of Trinidad and Tobago to recall that the Isrealites were enslaved but did get to the promise land led by a great leader, Moses, urging that it was time to move to the promise land not in terms of geographical location but in internationally recognized achievements in the areas of science and technology, industry, commerce, and economics.
He said, “I'm here not to make a speech today but I'm here to bring our good will message from your brothers and sisters from the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am here to tell you clearly that your brother country Nigeria fully identifies with you on this emancipation struggle.
“In 2006 when President Olusegun Obasanjo was the head of state of our country, he moved during one of the African Union meetings, that the whole of Africa should celebrate the emancipation day with the people of Trinidad and Tobago and it was adopted by the AU.
“Somehow, we have not been following it religiously but I can tell you that that is one of the reason I'm here today as promised in Australia when the Prime Minister and I met, to identify clearly with our brothers and sisters from Trinidad and Tobago with a delegation comprising of my wife, members of the parliament and executive arms of our government.
“It is for those of us who by divine providence by God and the people have elected to be in positions like me, the president of Nigeria and some of you that are holding offices, to go work with others to make sure that this is realized.
My only commitment and assurance to you today as I bring the good will message from your brothers and sisters from Nigeria, is to assure that we will continue to identify with you, we will continue to remember this emancipation day, work with you and all the blacks all over the world to make ensure the black man gets to the promise land”, he added.