ABUJA—President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, led an array of past national leaders in a colourful ceremony held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to mark the country’s 55th independence anniversary, where most of the leaders said, in spite of challenges, the country’s future is bright.
This was as the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Mr. Mahmoud Mohammed and the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, eulogized the nation.Saraki said the National Assembly was poised to making laws that would impact positively on Nigerians.
He said: “I am hopeful and confident that the future is very bright. In next few years, things will be even better. It will not be business as usual.“We will ensure that the National Assembly will be people-oriented and will make laws that will make impact on Nigerians.”For the CJN: “We will make it by the grace of God. We are on the right path.”On his own part, Oyegun said Nigeria had finally discovered the road to greatness with the coming of APC government and President Buhari in the saddle.
He said: “At 55, we have finally discovered that we have been on the wrong road. We have finally moved to the road that leads to progress, hope, employment, prosperity and that will lead Nigeria finally to attaining that greatness that God destined it for.”Meanwhile, the event, which turned out to be an affair of the Nigerian Army, featured inspection of new guard, quarter guard, silent drill, posting of sentries, colour/flags patrol and 21-gun salute.
Roll call
There were also foot and arms drill, rhythmic marches and inspection by parade commander of the soldiers’ weapons, among others.Attended by dignitaries across all fields of human endeavour, the ceremony also saw President Buhari cutting the anniversary cake alongside the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, the CJN and others.
Most of the dignitaries included the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo; former Heads of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd) and Chief Ernest Shonekan; former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme; former Chief of General Staff, General Oladipo Diya (retd); former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe; and Second Republic Senate President, Chief Joseph Wayas.
Others included former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; former SGF, Babagana Kingibe; Chief of Defence Staff, General Tunde Olonishakin; Service Chiefs including the Chiefs of Army, Airforce and Navy and former Adamawa State governor, Admiral Murtala Nyako (retd).
Govs’ forum
Meanwhile, the 36 state governors have warned Nigerians against divisive tendencies.The governors, who operate under the platform of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, called on Nigerians to always give national interest priority in all their dealings.In their joint independence message to the nation, the governors in a statement by their Chairman, Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara State, also charged Nigerians to exhibit actions that promote democratic ideals and peaceful co-existence at all levels of government in the country.
According to Yari, the independence anniversary should remind Nigerians of their common root, destiny and determination to succeed.He charged Nigerians to see themselves as change agents, wherever they find themselves and to join hands with government at all levels to enthrone the desired change.
Obasanjo
Speaking with reporters in his Abeokuta home, Ogun State, former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said Nigeria at 55 was still young, growing and has not done badly.Obasanjo said 50 years in the life of a nation is comparatively young, noting the developed countries had made the mistakes Nigeria was making.He urged Nigerian leaders to correct their mistakes for the country to be great like other great countries.While reacting to President Buhari’s nationwide independence broadcast, Obasanjo said for Nigeria to actualize her great potential, all hands must be on deck irrespective of the location, tribe and social standing.
He argued that Nigeria will actualize her great potential if the leaders do not play with the issues of education, health, security, economy and unemployment and kick out corruption.He added that fighting corruption should not be restricted to monetary issue, saying corruption of attitude, which he said comprises nepotism, favouritism among others, should also be shunned by the leaders.His words: “What is important is that certain cardinal principles, cardinal features of our national live, values, should not be eroded. And then we should also be willing to learn from our mistakes.
Oshiomhole
Also exuding optimism, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said for Nigeria to remain united despite the poverty, insecurity and tension witnessed during the last general election, shows that the nation will overcome all its problems and become a stronger nation.Speaking at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, during the celebration of the nation’s independence yesterday, Oshiomhole said: “We have every reason to celebrate this occasion. Our great country has experienced ups and down over the past 55 years.“In all of this, it is my view that our country is stronger today than it was 55 years ago.”
Obiano
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State said attaining 55 years as a united country “is a milestone in the life cycle of nations.“It is even more so in Africa and other developing countries of the world where the very idea of nationhood is perpetually on trial. We must all be thankful to Almighty God for his special love and infinite grace to Nigeria.”However, he said, the occasion calls for a sober reflection because “55 years ago, when the Nigerian flag replaced the British Union Jack, our founding fathers dreamt of a country whose greatness would finally announce to the free world, the rise of a super-power in Black Africa.
“They dreamt of a strong country whose inherent potential would outweigh its in-born socio-cultural inhibitions and whose promise would outshine the teething problems of nascent nationhood.“Our founding fathers had rightly hoped and prayed for the sun to rise on Nigeria and for a moment, their wishes seemed granted.“However, 55 years after independence, our country has repeatedly danced on the edge of the cliff and experienced harrowing moments of civil disturbances, religious and ethnic violence and wide-spread uncertainty and doubt about our corporate future. But Nigeria will survive through it all.”
Okowa
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, told Nigerians to reflect on the myriads of challenges confronting the country in its 55 years of nationhood, especially insecurity and corruption and tackle them headlong
.He decried the insecurity of the country in the face of indigenous terrorism, the scourge of corruption ravaging not only the public institutions, but also their collective national psyche and “grave questions over the control and appropriation of our natural resources, disturbing rate of unemployed and unemployable Nigerians and other challenges Nigerians have faced and continue to encounter on their path to realizing the growth and development of the country.Others who also expressed their views where Rev. Chris Okotie, Senator Ayo Arise and Senator Babajide Omoworare.
Meanwhile, Lagos East Bishop of Church of God Mission International, Bishop Egowa Matthew, has called on Nigerians to desist from using the independence day celebration as a day to mourn, regret and curse leaders for what is perceived as failure or missed opportunities, but to rejoice and celebrate Nigeria’s existence and thank God for keeping the nation thus far. For Mr. Tajudeen Obasa, representing Ojo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Nigerians should not relent in supporting the government at all levels.He said: “Nigerians must remain steadfast and pray for the prosperity of the nation.”
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