Today, we all open the first of a 365-page book. That page is blank. You are called upon to write on it things that will define you as a Rwandan, for Rwanda and its partners. The objective is progress.

What will you write?

There is a lot that we can achieve as a people of the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’. Think about the things at individual, family and community level that you can pursue and achieve from the second page of this book. Think about the national things to be achieved, and, above all, use this blank page to reflect on the past one year so that you do avoid the mistakes thereon and target progressive ideals hereof.

Let’s forgive and forget the ills thrown at us last year but use it to shape how we move on this year. Let’s sow seeds of wondrous fruits and leave the sour grapes for those who want to drag us backwards to lick. Let’s make every day be the blue sky of peace upon our motherland.

There will be challenges as we flip some of the pages of this book, but we have endured a lot for any challenge, whatever the scale, to bog us down. Our spirit of resilience will be multiplied and we trudge the pages of this book.

Let us not allow people with vested interests to write anything on our pages, for only we, as Rwandans, can determine our own future.

We should not forget to include on that magical blank page the resolution to continue smiling at the needy, the downtrodden and those still suffering from the wounds of our bitter past. Only by helping them get back on the road can we help our country go further.

Remember, the year will be long and more challenging than the one that we closed yesterday, so brace for the challenges with your armours of offence.

Together, let’s make 2015 happen.

A happy and prosperous New Year for our country and its people!