State governors, including Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Darius Ishaku (Taraba), Emeka Ihedioha (Imo), among others, have harped on tolerance and unity of purpose to forge a common front in national development.
The governors spoke in their respective states to mark Nigeria’s 59th Independence anniversary on Tuesday.
In Lagos, Sanwo-Olu, at the Police College, Ikeja, where residents, students and pupils thronged the parade ground, said Nigerians also needed to keep hope alive and join hands with the leaders in the task of building a prosperous nation.
The governor, who dressed in Neighbourhood Safety Corps’ uniform, noted that Nigeria over the years had made irreversible progress and his administration would continue to build on the legacies bequeathed by the nation’s founding fathers.
He observed that the effort to rebuild Nigeria and keep it on a path of progress was on course, while also assuring that the implementation of his party’s programmes would bring greater good to the majority of citizens.
“Today, we take glory to the men and women who laboured and sacrificed their time, knowledge and resources to see that our nation gained freedom from colonial rule and attained the status of a sovereign nation,” Sanwo-Olu said.
“Since 1960, we have achieved significant progress despite our challenges and setbacks. We have remained united in our determination and desire to build a truly prosperous nation that will be the pride not only to Africans but the entire black race. As we celebrate this year’s Independence anniversary, we must remain committed to achieve our collective aspirations as a nation,” he said.
He charged the residents to eschew actions that would divide the country along ethno-religious line, and pleaded for patience as government at all levels rolled out activities to make the system better.
In Edo, Governor Obaseki urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the country, noting that despite the difficult times, the nation would be great again.
He said that Nigeria has not experienced needed economic growth because over the years, policies had not been aligned to drive growth, adding that President Buhari-led administration has got it right by coming up with policies that would spur economic growth.
“For economic growth in the country, we need to build the basic infrastructure to move people, goods and services. This country has the resources to produce what it consumes, but over the years, policies have not been aligned to do so,” Obaseki said.
“The Economic and Growth Recovery Plan is a new direction to push growth in the country. The President is emphasising infrastructure, law and order and other policies to grow the economy, which are commendable,” he said.
In Ogun, Governor Dapo Abiodun, who paid glowing tributes to the nation’s founding fathers for their untiring efforts in seeing to the development and unity of Nigeria, said 59 years of nationhood was fraught with civil war, military rules and political upheavals.
“For our country to overcome her challenges, Nigerians must be patriotic, put behind ethnic differences and realise that we are Nigerians before any other affiliations. We should love our country and discharge with commitment whatsoever that is committed to our care,” he said.
He advised those seeking for greener pastures in other countries to stay back to salvage the nation, just as it was imperative for both the leaders and followers to join hands in the task of nation-building.
The governor said as partners in the Nigeria project, his administration would tap into the vast natural resources and the great potentials that abound in the state and maximise the benefits to make life more abundant to the people.
Similarly, Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State urged Nigerians to renew their spirit
of brotherhood, love, and peaceful co-existence for the progress of the state and the country.
“Let us rekindle our hope, redouble our fervent prayers and supplication to God to see us through the numerous trials and unite us more than ever before,” Okowa said while addressing the people in Asaba, the state capital.
“Our declarations should be positive both for leaders and the country; that way, we will have positive confirmation that the heavenly Father will grant our prayers,” he said.
The governor appealed to Deltans and Nigerians in general to rekindle their faith in a united country and in the continuous protection of democracy as the only viable system of governance, which is already bringing sustainable development to our nation in spite of obvious challenges.
“At 59, if we are to make further progress and follow the speed of sustainable development across the globe as a united people, we need to check our emphasis on regional, ethnic and religious divides,” he said.
Addressing his compatriots in Taraba, the state governor, Darius Ishaku lamented Nigeria’s sluggish growth, saying 59 years of nationhood have not impacted the citizens. Ishaku, who briefed the media in Jalingo to mark the independence anniversary, said, “Yes, we are 59 years old, but I don’t think we are 59 years mature, it is both sweet and ugly. It is sweet because we have Independence, but ugly because we have not been able to utilize the 59 years to take the country to an enviable position.”
The governor said it was a shame that Nigeria as ‘giant of Africa’ was still lagging behind other nations.
In Imo State, Governor Ihedioha, in his broadcast to the people, expressed delight in the progress being made by his administration, citing an increase in internally generated revenue (IGR) from N274 million when he assumed office in May 2019 to N795 million by September. He said this was an indication there was still hope for Nigeria.
“This is evident in the courage to confront the odds and the resilience shown in pulling back the country from precipice at all times,” he said.
The governor said this year’s celebration once again afforded the opportunity to pay glowing tributes to the nation’s founding fathers such as the late Nnamdi Azikiwe, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello Obafemi Awolowo.
He noted, however, that like every other great nation, Nigeria has bravely endured the pangs of birth of an emergent nation, adding that at every point, Nigerians’ resolve to live together as one, strong and united nation has been evident in the courage to confront the odds and resilience to pull back from the precipice.
In Cross River, Ayade while addressing the people at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar, said despite the civil war and insurgency ravaging some parts of the country, his administration has created an economy anchored on industrialisation aimed at job creation.
Represented by his deputy, Ivara Esu, Ayade said his assessment was derived from the various achievements Nigerians have made individually and as a nation.
According to him, no nation has ever berthed on a roller coaster “or fulfilled its destiny without sweat”. Nigerians were determined to ensure the “recalibration” of their future, he said.
“As we celebrate today, we cannot say with absolute conviction that 59 years down the line, it has been a bed of roses. At best, it has been a potpourri; at times chequered, disappointing, hard and fraught with challenges that so often dulled our spirits,” Ayade said.
But in spite of those dispirited moments, he noted, there have been sparkling times that “we have radiated so much national pride as a people”.
“With our minds firmly fixed on the ever-glittering skyline, we shall sure chart a pathway to our destination,” he said.
JOSHUA BASSEY, Lagos, MIKE ABANG, Calabar, RASAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta, IDRIS MOMOH, Benin, SABY ELEMBA, Owerri, NATHANIEL GBAORON, Jalingo, & FRANCIS SADHERE, Warri
