Independence Day: Jonathan, govs, Mark say Nigeria’ll overcome challenges

Key political leaders, including former President Goodluck Jonathan and governors have expressed optimism that Nigeria will overcome its current challenges if they are being tackled with a common purpose, zeal and love for one another.

They made these remarks in separate messages to mark the nation’s 64th Independence anniversary.

Jonathan, who  urged Nigerians to remain optimistic in the dream of building a great and prosperous nation, also implored the citizens to be resilient in the face of challenges facing the country.

The former president, in a statement by his media aide, Ikechukwu Eze, in Abuja, stressed the need for deepening the roots of democracy and a culture of credible, free and fair elections in the country.

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“For us to deepen the roots of our democracy and foster inclusive economic growth, we must strengthen our institutions and develop a good democratic culture that will support peaceful, transparent, free and fair elections….

“With a common purpose, zeal and love for one another, we can overcome our challenges and build a prosperous nation of our collective dreams, where every citizen has equal opportunities to thrive,” he said.

Also, a former President of the Senate, David Mark, took stock of Nigeria’s antecedents and submitted that time has come for sober reflection.

A statement by the former Senate president’s Media Adviser Paul Mumeh in Kano on Tuesday indicated that Mark called for sober reflection in a goodwill message to Nigerians.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria can overcome its current challenges if all Nigerians can “unite and work together to address our challenges.”

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State yesterday said Nigeria was faced with several challenges that required bold and innovative solutions to address.

At the commemoration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary held at the Sani Abacha Stadium, the governor urged residents of the state to imbibe the spirit of patriotism to ensure that the sacrifices of Nigeria’s forefathers were not in vain.

He said, “As we look ahead to the future, let us do so with optimism, unity, and a shared sense of purpose.

“Let us draw inspiration from our past achievements, learn from our challenges, and march forward with courage and conviction. Together, we can overcome any obstacle, achieve any goal, and realize the full potential of our great nation.”

The governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, charged Nigerians to join hands and get the country out of its present challenges, expressing optimism that the insecurity in the country would soon be surmounted.

The governor urged Nigerians not to compromise the unity of the country.

The Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, also expressed optimism that Nigeria would soon overcome the challenges it currently faces, calling on Nigerians to support, cooperate, and pray for the country’s leadership to succeed.

Buni, in a statement issued and signed in commemoration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary by the Director General of Media and Press Affairs to the Governor, Mamman Mohammed, emphasised the need for national unity and collective effort.

Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, who also expressed optimism of a brighter future for Nigeria, called for unity to provide good governance and democratic dividends for the citizens.

He stated this in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Tuesday in Yola.

Fintiri stressed the need for self-reflection and collective responsibility to address the country’s weaknesses, adding that, “success can only be achieved by accepting responsibility for actions and rejecting the blame game.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, who appealed for patience, said most government policies take time to yield results and his administration would not fail the people.

The Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who granted clemency to 23 convicts, commuted life sentences of two individuals to 15 years, reduced death sentences of two inmates to life imprisonment, adjusted one detainee’s sentence to 10 years, and commuted the death sentences of four death row inmates to 15 years in prison, highlighted the economic difficulties many citizens are currently facing, particularly in light of the removal of fuel subsidies and the resulting inflation.

Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq on Tuesday called for patience.

AbdulRazaq, who is the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), said he was upbeat that this country is destined for greatness.

The governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, who pardoned five inmates in the state custodial centre in commemoration of Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary, admitted that there is hardship in the nation, but his administration is doing all it could to tackle the situation, adding that the people should not lose sight of the fact that despite the challenges, Nigeria has remained one nation that is strong, united and full of potential.

The Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, who promised that his administration would construct no fewer than 1,000 affordable housing units across the eight local government areas of the state, assured of provision of pipe-borne water in Yenagoa, the state capital, and environs in his second term in office, expressed the commitment to pursue development issues as well as address environmental challenges like soot pollution, flooding, and oil spillage that had plagued the state.

The Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki, has charged Nigerians to restate their commitment to democracy while celebrating 64th Independence.

Obaseki in his message to the people of the state and Nigeria said, “At 64, we have much to be thankful for, in the face of daunting global headwinds that have rocked many nations.”

Ekiti State governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, who congratulated  Nigeria on its 64th  Independence and the 28th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State, spoke on the  nation’s challenges, such as macro-economic, security and infrastructural challenges.

The governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, yesterday assured that his administration is committed towards upholding the principles of democracy and the rule of law in every facet of governance.

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori called on Nigerians to remain united and resolute in overcoming the economic and security challenges currently facing the country.

The governor, in a statement released in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, urged Nigerians them to put aside political, religious, and ethnic differences in order to move the country forward.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) called for an assessment of previous focus and movement to a new focus for rapid national development.

Archbishop Daniel Okoh, the President of CAN, said this on Tuesday in his independence anniversary message he personally signed.

“This momentous occasion offers us a profound opportunity to reflect on our journey as a nation, to acknowledge our achievements, and to commit ourselves anew to the ideals of unity, peace, and progress.

“Our national development agenda must continue to focus on infrastructure development, economic growth, and youth empowerment,” Okoh said.

He said Nigeria stands as a shining example of the strength found in diversity.

The CAN leader said despite the challenges that have tested citizens’ resolve, they continue to demonstrate resilience and a shared commitment to the common good.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to seek a true independent nation free from state capture and end the unprecedented hardship and suffering.

He made the call on Tuesday on his X handle as Nigeria marks its 64th Independence anniversary from British colonialism on October 1st, 1960.

He said anniversary celebrations, whether for an individual or a country, offer opportunities to reflect on memories, celebrate accomplishments, look towards the future, and express gratitude.

From Salim Umar Ibrahim (Kano), Abubakar Auwal (Sokoto), Dickson S. Adama (Jos), Hope Abah (Makurdi), Haruna Gimba Yaya (Gombe), Mumini Abdulkareem (Ilorin), Bassey Willie (Yenagoa), Usman A. Bello (Benin), Raphael Ogbonnaiye (Ado-Ekiti), Nabob Ogbonna (Abakaliki), Abbas Jimoh (Abuja) & Kelvin Meluwa (Asaba)