PM Sogavare speaks of Solomon Islands nationhood journey as one taken by faith from Great Britian on the part of the country’s pioneers
PRIME Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has described the journey taken by the country’s nationhood pioneers to be granted sovereign statehood as a journey of faith.
He highlighted this in his national reflection during a thanksgiving service at the St Barnabas Cathedral yesterday. The ecclesiastical event was part of the country’s 45th independence anniversary programme.
Prime Minister Sogavare said 45 years ago, the country decided to accept the offer by Great Britain to be granted political independence.
He said the country off course witnessed a peaceful transfer of political powers from Great Britain to enter into new entity called Solomon Islands Government.
The four-time Prime Minister said with the Westminster on that date Solomon Islands become 158th member of the United Nation as the Sovereign State.
“We have now travelled 45years of our journey as Sovereign State.
“We are here this morning (yesterday) to express our gratitude to God for his never-ending love for taking the journey of nationhood with us.
“It was truly a journey of faith by the founders of this great nation,” he said.
Prime Minister Sogavare said coming together as Christians from different church denominations demonstrates that Solomon Islands acknowledges the direct intervention and guidance of God in this journey of nationhood.
“We believe and testify that in him we live, for without him we are not worthy,” he said.
Reflecting on the theme “Rising Above and Overcoming our Challenges as One People” Prime Minister Sogavare said the 45-year-journey has not been without challenges.
He said the country has gone through challenges that even threaten the very existence of the nation and its people.
Despite the challenges, Prime Minister Sogavare said the country will not be deterred by these challenges.
“We were determined to rise above and as Solomon Islands nothing will separate us from unfailing love of God who has been the one constant in our endeavor to live peacefully.”
He acknowledged the government ministers, diplomatic corps, senior government officials and Christians who joined the thanksgiving service, adding that it is appropriate to give all glory back to God before celebrating the 45th Independence Anniversary today will all the excitement.
By Charles Kadamana
