Sierra Leone’s Golden Jubilee Celebration takes off in Nigeria
A four day program marking Sierra Leone’s fiftieth anniversary of independence commenced on Sunday 1st May 2011, in Lagos the Commercial City of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with a prayer for the country, its President, Government and people at the Anglican Church on the Peninsular, Penhall, Victoria Garden City, and Lagos. (Photo: Citizens, and friends of Sierra Leone at the Golden Jubilee Thanksgiving Service in Lagos)
The Choral matins service was fully attended by Sierra Leoneans from across Lagos and neighbouring states of Osun, Oyo and Ibadan and friends of Sierra Leone and marked by the singing of several religious choruses and hymns from the Ancient & Modern New Standard Hymnal, coupled with the reading of several psalms and offering of prayers to Almighty God, through Jesus Christ for President Ernest Bai Koroma, his Government and the People of Sierra Leone.
A cross section of Sierra Leoneans at the service
In his Sermon, with the topic “The Empty Tomb” John 20:29, Luke 24:1-12, Psalm 34:1-10 etc. Mr. Gbade Amao likened the agony of Jesus Christ when he was scourged, to the war period in Sierra Leone, when people were wounded, maimed and killed: and said the mystery which characterised the rolling away of the stone from the frontage of the sepulchre is also similar to the mystery regarding the level of transformation Sierra Leone is presently witnessing. The preacher man described the level of growth in Sierra Leone as “unimaginable”.
Mr. Gbade Amao equated the surprises and disbelief of Thomas the disciples and other unbelievers regarding the rolled stone from the frontage of the tomb to Sierra Leone and said “the end of war signified the end of pain: and by the grace of the Almighty God, we have started seeing the turning around of that West African Nation.
“I visited Sierra Leone during that dark period: I also visited the country after the conclusion of the war: and as I stand here, I recently visited Sierra Leone: and I can testify that every blessed day in Sierra Leone sees development”.
In his testimony, the Vicar of Anglican Church on the Peninsular, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Lagos Reverend Cannon Yinka Akinlade, described President Ernest Bai Koroma as a patient man who is very passionate about his country and people.
“As I stand here, I can testify that things are turning around in Sierra Leone. “I saw the President at the National Stadium watching his compatriots in different colours for several hours – from the start to the end of a parade, looking at every individual as they marched past. If it were some Heads of State, they would only spend a few minutes and leave.
Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone singing lustily in praise of God Almighty for Mama Salone
Apart from my personal prayers, it is my wish for all of us to join President Ernest Bai Koroma in prayers to actualize his dream as he pronounces that Sierra Leone will one day become a donor nation”.
Sierra Leone's High Commissioner, HE Henry O Macauley addressing his compatriots at the Church
In his address, Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E Henry O. Macauley thanked God, Sierra Leoneans in attendance, the Nigerian Government, and people for the sustained brotherhood and said the thanksgiving service was the beginning of a series of planned programs deferred because of the just concluded three weeks conduct of Nigeria’s Presidential, Senatorial, Gubernatorial and House of Representative Elections in the thirty six states in addition to the Federal Capital territory of Abuja.
The High Commissioner also gave a brief historical background to his personal ties with the Nigerian community and updated the congregation with centuries old historical and political ties binding the two countries.
According to him, a Muslim prayer will be held at the Abuja Central Mosque on Friday 6th May immediately after Juma, to be followed by a Dinner.
On Saturday May 7th a cross section of Sierra Leoneans from different parts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will converge at the Chancery in Abuja to celebrate a Sierra Leonean night.
Sunday May 8th will climax the occasion with a Thanksgiving Service at the Abuja Anglican Church.
Pasco Gerald Temple, Information Attaché, Sierra Leone High Commission, Abuja, Nigeria
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