•Oyetola, Makinde, Abdulsalami, others pray for Nigeria
By Jide Orintunsin, Abuja, Justina Asishana, Minna, Yinka Adeniran, Ibadan and Bolaji Ogundele, Abuja
Eminent Nigerians, including governors and former Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, have emphasised the need for unity and peaceful co-existence as their country marks its 61st Independence Day.
Oyetola
Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola said despite the challenges facing the country it was developing steadily.
He spoke in Abuja yesterday at a ceremony organised to mark his 67th birthday.
“I think by any standard we have moved, we may not have achieved the level that we are thinking of as a nation, I think we are moving.
“I believe we are making progress, we may not be at the level which we are expecting as a nation but we are not stagnant.”
Oyetola said the growth and fortune of the country were being boosted by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We could do better given the level that we are now, particularly with the efforts that have been put into running the affairs of the country by the present administration of President Muhamadu Buhari. I think we are moving. We are not stagnant.
“We are challenged. For instance, the issue of security is a big challenge but that is not only peculiar to Nigeria, we have the challenges in other parts of the world. But what is important is for you not to give up.”
Makinde
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde urged Nigerians to join hands to make Nigeria better.
Makinde, who spoke during an ‘Independence Day Walk’ led on his behalf by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, declared that unity was needed to enable the country to move forward.
“Nigeria is 61 and there are a lot of things we need to be proud about, having achieved them as a nation. But there is still a lot of work to be done,” the governor said.
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Uzodimma
Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma said: ‘’I warmly felicitate with all Nigerians, especially the good people of Ndi Imo on the occasion of the 61st Independence Anniversary of our dear country, Nigeria.
“I am thrilled that at 61, Nigeria, inspite of challenges, is still standing strong, even waxing stronger. The credit for this incredible survival story is located mainly in the strength and resilience of the great people of this country.
“I also salute President Muhammadu Buhari who has provided inspirational leadership to this nation at its most trying time.
“I urge all Nigerians to make concerted efforts to build on the sacrifices of our forebears and the blood of our heroes past to bequeath to the next generation a virile, united and democratic Nigeria where justice and equity are the unassailable bedrock of nationhood”, Uzodimma added.
Abdulsalami
Gen. Abdulsalami spoke with reporters in Minna, the Niger State capital.
“The agitations by some Nigerians are due to the feeling of exclusion in the sphere of things and affairs of governance as well as how more relevance is given to some states by the central government. This is why there has been agitation to opt-out and divide the country.
“I urge the government to carry everybody along in terms of governance and appointments. This would give everyone the sense of belonging and stop the agitations that Nigeria should break up,” Abdulsalami said.
The elder statesman said the colonial masters siphoned Nigeria’s resources to build their nations.
He noted that the country further went off course when it decided to focus on oil alone, adding that the Muhammadu Buhari administration is gradually getting on track with the diversification of the economy.
“More could be done by strengthening our security forces, by increasing the number of people who are involved in the security detail. That means there should be more recruitment into the security forces, and equipping them adequately so that they could face the challenge of providing security of life and property in the country,” he said.
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