‘Let us rejoice and be thankful’

01 June 2018, 12:00AM

Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II

His Highness the Head of State

Address for the 56th Independence 


It is with great joy that I greet and address our distinguished guests and all of you who are gathered here this morning, as well as families, friends and our people who are watching or listening through the media from home either in Samoa or abroad, on this occasion of the commemoration of the 56th anniversary of Samoa’s Independence.

As a Christian nation founded upon God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, we duly ascribe honour, glory and praise to our Almighty God whom by his grace, mercy and peace has sustained Samoa, our beloved nation, over all these years to this day. If our God had not built and guarded our nation, then our Forefathers, our leaders, our people, and all of us would have labored in vain to pursue and to realize self government and sovereignty of Samoa.

Today the joy of celebration is felt at every corner of our country. We are gratified that we are an Independent nation governed by our own people, and have our own laws, customs, traditions and Christian principles which complement each other, distinguishing us from other countries of the world. It is with pride that we remember our Forefathers and Leaders who championed the Independence movement which has made Samoa a truly sovereign nation.

No doubt our visionary Forefathers and Leaders had faith that we would be prepared physically, mentally and spiritually to continue where they have left their mark, and to elevate our country to greater strengths, with faith in the authority, strength, and wisdom from the one true God of Samoa that has miraculously made this country safe from many natural disasters and global catastrophes. 

If we have been focusing on negativity and fault finding, and weaknesses or failures, I humbly appeal to you all that we make a collective effort to make our Samoa a country truly founded on God, the source of all the blessings we need.

I thank the Honourable Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Speaker and the members of the Parliament of Samoa and the Judiciary for their stewardship of our country. I thank also all the people of Samoa for your significant and various contributions to the development and security of our country. I would also like to thank our development partners for their continuing support which has empowered Samoa to pursue other facets of our development. 

Idolatry and all forms of lawlessness and the lustrous pleasures of the cosmos are an abomination in the eyes of the Lord. When we do not allow the Lord to govern our lives and communities, then we have problems such as what happened early this week between the youths of two villages; I thank the Clergy and the councils of chiefs of the two villages concerned, the Government, the Commissioner of Police and the Police Service for the immediate rectification of the matter, thereby proving that we can reach an amicable solution when our Government, the Clergy, and our traditional Leaders stand together.

I am aware that many of our people do pray for our Leaders and for peace, security and prosperity of our country. Our leaders also pray for God’s guidance in their work.  Hence, it is my firm belief that if all citizens of Samoa continue to pray fervently for God’s will to be done for our country, we will witness supernatural blessings upon our Government, people and land. A praying country and government is always guaranteed spiritual victory, peace and authority.

We need peace in Samoa, peace in the Pacific Region, and peace in the world.

Let us also pray for peace in Israel, from which the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ has come to the world.

The word of God says “Let us rejoice and be thankful in the Lord. Be anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”

Happy Independence Celebration Samoa, and God bless you all. Soifua

 

01 June 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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