APM calls on Malawians to unite
President Peter Mutharika yesterday called on Malawians to unite and work hard with a high sense of integrity and patriotism to attain economic freedom.
He made the call at the 52nd Independence Anniversary Celebrations held at the Bingu International Conference Centre (Bicc) in Lilongwe where the he led an interdenominational congregation in national prayer service of worship to mark the anniversary.
The President said the onus was on every Malawian to move the nation forward economically.
“In my independence address, I would like to ask all Malawians to work hard for our economic freedom,” said Mutharika; “There is no one except us who can free this country from the economic burdens and poverty.”
He quoted the Koran Chapter 13:11 saying: “…God cannot change the condition of the people until the people themselves want to change the condition they are in”.
Mutharika said for the past two years his government had changed the national vision and programmes but the natural change began with individual Malawians.
“Like Mahatma Gandhi said ‘If you want change, you must be the change you want to see’, our freedom begins with us,” he said.
Earlier in the day the President led in the national prayer service of worship by taking the first reading in English from the book of Psalms Chapter 128:1-6.
The second reading in Chichewa came from 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 by Emily Banda Egolet of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Church.
Further activities during the 52nd Independence Day National Prayer Service of Worship included Chichewa and English sermons and prayers led by Christian and Islamic officiating clergy present at the event; and intercessory prayers and special offering for people affected by natural disasters in the country.
All the activities’ central message was drawn from this year’s Independence Commemorations theme: Committed to Patriotism, Integrity, and Hard Work for a Prosperous Malawi With the Help of God. n
