The Polish Ambassador to Nigeria, Joanna Tarnawska has urged Nigerians to collectively put hands together to ensure that the country’s democratic journey is nurtured and groomed to maturity.
According to Amb. Tarnawska, freedom and democracy is not given once and for all but nursed and cared for.
She spoke on Thursday in Abuja at an event to mark the Independence anniversary of Republic of Poland.
She observed that Poland though had its peculiar challenges in raising the bar of democratic principles has overcome through resilience and unity of purpose.
Amb. Tarnawska remarked that her country has existed as a nation due to the collective resolve of the people to put the country first and above religious and cultural considerations, urging Nigeria to take a cue from Poland.
“For Nigeria, I want to say that freedom and democracy is not given once and for all. It has to be nurture and cared for and it has to be nourished all the time by the nation.
“The liberty of the people should be number one. It should never be taken for granted. We have undergone our challenges and emerged stronger, I believe Nigeria will too” she said.
The event featured Nigerian adaptation of the play, ‘Out at Sea’ by a Polish playwright, Slawomir Mrozek.
Performed by Arojah Royal Theatre, the play highlights the shenanigans, greed and doubt that characterize electoral processes, politics and power.
Amb. Tarnawska therefore encouraged Nigerians to persevere, noting that no nation is immuned from lack of transparency and suspicion that trail politics and power.
One of the actors, Isaac Israel Udochukwu described the play as a sad commentary of how leaders make meal of the people, ignoring flashpoint of solutions for selfish interests.
While noting that the play highlights the concept of togetherness, selflessness and sacrifice in leadership, Udochukwu called on followers to also join forces with the leadership, maintaining that the job of nation building is a joint effort.
Producer of the play and the artistic director, Arojah Royal Theatre, Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo is of the opinion that, engagements like this, under his troupe’s cultural partnership initiative is a very good opportunity to peep into the history of other nations.” That’s the power of Theatre practitioners at play. And you can see for yourself, the universality of the issues. It does not matter now if it is Nigeria, Poland or even India.”:
