Independence Day: ‘Nigeria Will Be Great Again,’ Atiku, Obi, Akpabio, Abbas, Others Preach Hope, Patience
Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas; the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde; and his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have assured Nigerians that the country would be great again.
Also, Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election has urged Nigerians to maintain their resolve and optimism, noting that the possibility of a new Nigeria still exists.
Atiku said Nigerians must strive to pull the country from a “place of uncertainty to safety”.
In an independence message to Nigerians on Saturday, Abubakar said the youths have triumphed beyond imagination in various professional fields across the world.
Nigeria will mark its 63rd independence anniversary on October 1.
He said the country has been faced with economic challenges but the “success and gallantry of our youth is the primal element of what we celebrate today as a nation”.
“The event of this year’s Independence Day is coming at a time when the country is at a crossroads in many aspects of our national lives,” he said.
“Sixty-three years ago, when this great country acquired independence, it was upon the promise of abundant prosperity and the principle of social justice.
“As a nation, we have continued to struggle to manifest the dreams of our founding fathers in upholding the promises of shared prosperity and social justice.
“We have encountered great moments when the flag of our dear country flew tall on the global stage through the industry of our sportsmen and women, the prolific distinction of our academia and the top-notch artistry of Nigerian talents in the global music scene.
“The talents and doggedness of young Nigerians who have refused to give up on the country are the inspiration for a greater future that we celebrate today.
“The energy of the Nigerian youth is a formidable force in the consternation of manpower and skills that power the global economy.
“Across the globe, and in various fields of human endeavour, the youth of this country have proven to have the competence to rival any of their peers from any part of the world.
“Therefore, for me, the challenge before us all is in ensuring that the political leadership in the country that we call home should be worthy of our pride as a people and not of telling embarrassment.
“Our democracy has triumphed so far due to the fidelity of our conviction that a democracy when properly nurtured, should bring out the best in us and of us.
“As Nigerians, we are all not unfamiliar with the hardships in the economy, security, and other vital aspects of our society.
“While I enjoin us all to submit our strengths in faith to the Almighty God, we must be prepared to do our best to pull the country back from this point of uncertainty to a place of common safety.”
The former vice-president congratulated and wished Nigerians a happy Independence Day celebration.
New Nigeria Is Possible – Obi
In his Independence Day address to Nigerians, Obi urged them not to give up despite the excruciating circumstances that still exist in the nation 63 years after colonial control ended.
The former Anambra State Governor pointed out that the actual cause of Nigerians’ continued visible entanglement in bad governance and poverty after 63 years is that succeeding regimes have tried to suppress conscientious individuals through their policies, actions, and inactions in order to maintain their hold on power.
He said: “Even amidst grave uncertainties and apparent hardship, the citizens of Nigeria are experiencing due to persistent leadership failure after 63 years of our nationhood, the situation might be critical, but certainly not hopeless.”
Nigeria Will Be Great Again,’ Akpabio, Abbas, Makinde, Sanwo-Olu Tell Nigerians
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas; the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde; and his Lagos State counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, have assured Nigerians that the country would be great again.
In separate statements on Saturday to commemorate the country’s 63rd Independence Day anniversary, they noted that Nigeria had recorded many landmarks and urged compatriots at home and in the diaspora to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Akpabio, while acknowledging present challenges in the polity, said the nation’s achievements over the past 63 years gave a sense of optimism for a better tomorrow.
The Senate President noted the particular struggles that Nigeria has passed through as a country in that time, adding that each country has its unique path with unique challenges it must pass through.
Affirming that the fabrics of national cohesion are increasingly being braced by the unique Nigerian struggles, Akpabio said he was confident to assert that Nigeria was now on the correct pathway to rediscovery.
“As we reminiscence on our 63 years as a country, it is tempting to allow present economic and security considerations to becloud the triumphs of our nationhood,” he said.
“I dare say that in several fields of endeavour, the world has reckoned and continues to reckon with Nigeria in business, politics, sports and the arts.
“Indeed, I must today salute Nigerian music and showbiz stars who have almost through sheer grit and grace taken the world stage with a number of individual accomplishments.”
“It is against this background that I call on Nigerians everywhere not to give up hope in the nation.”
Abbas, in an Independence Day statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, on Saturday, called on fellow citizens and compatriots to keep hope in the country alive, saying said doomsayers and pessimists would soon be disappointed.
The Speaker assured the public that despite the myriad of challenges, the country still has the prospect and potential to reclaim its leadership position in the comity of nations, especially with its abundant human and natural resources.
He urged organised labour under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to shelve the plan to embark on an indefinite nationwide strike from Tuesday over issues bordering on welfare.
According to Abbas, embarking on a nationwide indefinite strike at present would do the country no good. Rather, he said, it would only aggravate the situation at hand.
The Speaker urged organised labour to reason with the Federal Government and put the strike on hold by cooperating with the authorities so that all issues would be resolved amicably.
‘All Hands On Deck’
Makinde rallied Nigerians to dream and work for a better Nigeria, while calling on all citizens to look at the prospects, possibilities and opportunities of the country rather than the challenges.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sulaiman Olanrewaju, the governor said it was time to put the country first as he congratulated the President and all Nigerians on the occasion of the independence anniversary.
The governor added that all hands must be on deck in the task of rebuilding the country, noting that this remained the only way to make the country great.
“Our journey as a country has been tumultuous and challenging, but the possibilities and opportunities ahead outweigh the challenges that we face,” Makinde said.
“In the past, we mismanaged our diversity and our endowments. But the present presents a chance to right the wrongs of the past.
“So, rather than being overwhelmed by the challenges, we should be motivated by the prospects.”
‘Time To Reflect’
In a similar vein, Sanwo-Olu sought the support of Nigerians at home and in the diaspora for the President’s administration and all state governments in their efforts to birth what he called a new, prosperous Nigeria.
The Lagos State governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, also implored Nigerians to continue to live with one another in love, unity and peace, irrespective of their religious or ethnic differences.
He added that all the citizens’ support and encouragement were key to a better and prosperous Nigeria.
“Every October 1st is a time to reflect on the journey of our nationhood, to rededicate ourselves to the task of nation-building, and continue to work hard at building a formidable nation in Africa and the world at large,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He paid tribute to past and present heroes, founding fathers, nationalists, and those who have and continue to labour and sacrifice for the peace, unity, growth, and development of the country.
“As we celebrate our 63rd Independence Anniversary, I appeal to all Nigerians, particularly Lagos residents, to unite with renewed determination and commitment to move Nigeria and Lagos State forward against all odds,” he said.
“Let us continue to work together for peace in our dear Lagos State and Nigeria. Let us support President Bola Tinubu’s government to achieve his Renewed Hope agenda. Let our diversity be a source of strength and not a factor of disintegration.”
