…A Troubled Nation Marks 61, Leaders Express Hope, Call For Rebirth

*US lauds Nigeria’s regional leadership, India, France hail progress so far

Our Correspondents

Buffeted on all sides by growing insecurity, economic challenges and increasing corruption, Nigeria, today celebrates her 61st independence anniversary, amid despair and genuine misgivings, even though some prominent leaders from different walks of life have expressed hope in a better and stronger nation.

Characteristically, the diplomatic community has also identified with Nigeria on the occasion of her anniversary celebration, commending the progress made so far in the onerous effort to place the country on better footing.

But generally, despite the obnoxious state of things in almost every facet of the political economy, leaders across the board, have continued to express hope in the country to remain a viable and one indivisible nation.

Be Optimistic, Jonathan Charges Citizens

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has urged Nigerians to be optimistic about the future of the country, despite the challenges currently being faced by citizens.

Jonathan, who stated this in his goodwill message to Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 61st Independence anniversary, stressed that the nation held abundant promises for the citizens and that Nigeria had what it would take to overcome today’s threats and trials.

Jonathan, encouraged the nation’s leaders and the citizens to rededicate ourselves to the virtues of equity, justice and tolerance and strive to give their best for the good of the nation.
“I join all citizens to celebrate the 61st Independence Anniversary of our great nation, Nigeria. As we mark this day of freedom, it gives us the opportunity to reflect on our progress, celebrate our humble attainments and ponder over those dreams that are yet to be fulfilled.

“We may have hiccups along the way and challenging times that might be stretching our resolve and determination to forge ahead, but we should not relent nor succumb to fear, discouraging trials and threats of today. We will never lose hope in our country and in our indomitable spirit and capacity to overcome difficult times, seize the moment and conquer.

“The journey of nationhood is a marathon, which requires patience, resilience, tolerance and determination. The uncertainties of this time cannot be compared to the limitless promises that this nation holds for us all. This time offers us a new opportunity to renew our drive towards attaining greater heights and secure our shared dreams and common vision.

“As we celebrate, let us aggregate the successes, challenges and lessons of the last six decades and apply them towards a more prosperous future for us and upcoming generations. Ours is a country blessed with numerous opportunities and prospects as well as great citizens, engaging diversity and versatility.

“I urge all of us, leaders and citizens, to recharge our patriotism and rededicate ourselves to the virtues of equity, justice and tolerance and strive to give our best for the good of our dear nation. Let us remain optimistic, for the challenges of this time will redound to a glorious fortune for us and generations yet to come,” he said

Atiku Urges Nigerians to Remain Calm Despite Challenges

A former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, urges Nigerians to remain united despite their current existential challenges and struggles for economic survival.

He also called on governments at all levels to enunciate policies that would lead to improved standards of living for the average Nigerian even as he assured that the future would be brighter and better.

In his goodwill message on the occasion of Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary, contained in a statement by his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku expressed concern at the level of disunity, intolerance and bigotry in the country, which results in conflicts with its attendant losses of human lives and property.

According to him, “disunity doesn’t help Nigerians, because it makes it impossible for them to unite for a mutually beneficial common cause.
“I believe that our common interests are greater than those things that divide us. If we spend our energies on division rather than fighting for our common interests, it would be more difficult to bring about positive change to assuage the situation”, Atiku said.

The Waziri Adamawa regretted that, despite the nation’s vast oil resources, extreme poverty and joblessness had remained persistent, adding that, “there is no excuse that 61 years after independence, extreme poverty still stares the ordinary citizen in the face.”

He advocated for bipartisan initiatives by political leaders to address the spate of insecurity compounded by joblessness and poor living conditions.

“Insurgent activities have sprung up as a result of unemployment and joblessness of our able young men and women; frustration sets in and this encourages them to be involved in activities that are detrimental to our collective peace and security,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu Admonishes Courage, Political Will

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has advised Nigerians to summon the courage, energy and political will to face problems confronting the country head-on and address them squarely.

He said many of the present challenges the country was grappling with including secessionist calls, among others, were products of complex and complicated past, noting that Nigeria’s political, leadership tussle and trajectory were by no means unique and therefore urged secessionists to retreat.

Speaking at the 83rd anniversary of Ikoyi Club 1938, on Wednesday while presenting a paper titled: “Present, Past and Future”, held at the club’s Secretariat in Ikoyi, Lagos, Sanwo-Olu said critical stakeholders must learn from the experience of other countries to guide the present and create a future that was even better than what Nigerians envisaged.

While reflecting on the political, socio-economic and political trajectories of the country at 61, Sanwo-Olu concluded that religious and ethnic jingoism should be completely removed from the nation’s lexical items.
Talking about the 61sy anniversary, the governor said, “It will be another opportunity to reflect on our past, our present and our future. A complex and complicated past, like many other countries; a challenging present, again like many others and a future that we all look forward to with hope and optimism.

“Most countries of the world face deep-seated questions about ethnic, racial and religious diversity, and that Nigeria’s seemingly intractable past and present challenges are not unique to us. What is important is that we must constantly summon the energy and political will to face our problems head-on and address them squarely. We cannot continue to throw our hands up in despair or retreat into the tempting ghettoes of sectionalism and ethnic and religious bigotry.

“We must learn from the past of others to guide our present and create a future that is even better than what we envisaged. That is yet another important link between past, present and future; the ability to assess deeply, learn, and adapt in light of that learning,” he said.
He said building on the legacies of the past for the present and future was very vital, noting that the artistic greats of yesteryears have helped set standards that continue to inspire the present and will no doubt inspire the future.

Oyetola: We’re Challenged But Not Stagnant

Osun State Governor, Gboyega Oyetola, speaking on independence celebration, said while Nigeria was still challenged, the country was not stagnant.

Oyetola, who stated this Thursday during an interaction with journalists in Abuja to mark his 67th birthday, said the country might not have attained the level it ought to be, however, insisted that progress had been recorded.

He stated: “I think by every standard, we have moved. We may not have achieved the level that we are thinking of as a nation, I think we are moving. Comparing us with other nations that had attained the same independence as ours may not necessarily be too good enough, because you are not too sure of what they have.”

He added that the country could have done better given the level it has attained now, particularly the efforts that have been put into running the affairs of the country under the administration of President Muhamadu Buhari.
“We are not stagnant. We are challenged. For instance, the issue of security is a big challenge but that is not peculiar to Nigeria, we have the challenges in other parts of the world. But what is important is for you not to give up. I believe we are making progress, we may not be at the level we are expecting as a nation, but we are not stagnant. Nigeria is moving forward,” he said.

Buni: Our Years Together, Strong Source of Unity, Strength

Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, has said Nigeria’s 61 years of Independence, provided a strong source of unity and strength.
Buni, in a statement by his Director General of Press and Media Affairs, Mr. Mamman Mohammed, said though Nigeria might not have reached where it wanted to be after 61 years of independence, yet, there was cause to celebrate its existence as a country.

He said the long history of integration among the various ethnic, and socio-cultural groups should be a source of unity in diversity for the country.
“At 61 years, Nigerians should concentrate on issues that unite the country rather than divisive tendencies. We may have some challenges but we still remain a united country with lots of hope to prosper and attain greatness as a united country.

“We should remember that every country including the developed nations have their challenges, ours should not be an exception to contest our existence as a country and provoke our growth and development.
“We should face the challenge and contribute to national growth and development for us to collectively achieve our target of a better Nigeria,” he said.

Mark, Omo-Agege, Nnamani, Obanikoro Preach Peace, Unity

A former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, the incumbent Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and a former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, have canvassed for peace and unity among the citizenry as Nigeria marks 61st Independence Anniversary today.

The trio in separate messages asked Nigerians to forget the mistakes of the past and move on with one united nation.
Mark, in his message, took stock of the nation’s chequered socio-economic and political history and called on citizens to bury old prejudices to religion, tribe or ethnic leanings believed to be antithetical to development.

He listed the misfortunes occasioned by the 30-month’s old Nigeria/Biafra civil war, several ethno-religious conflicts and agitations in some parts of the country as unfortunate incidents hindering developments.
To this end, he tasked governments at all levels to do all that is necessary to restore hope and rebuild citizens’ trust and confidence in leadership to actualize the project Nigeria.

“Nigeria has all it takes to overcome the challenges but government must live up to its responsibilities in order to earn the trust and confidence of the people. The journey has been torturous though eventful in many respects. There is strength in our diversity. Our government, religious and traditional leaders must continue to preach the message of hope and reignite the can-do spirit of Nigerians,” he said.

On his part, Omo-Agege called for oneness and renewed patriotism from all Nigerians, saying Nigerians must unite behind the national flag, set aside the narrative of division, violence and hate, and replace them with the narrative of peace and unity.

The Deputy President of the Senate stressed that the country would surmount its present challenges and emerge stronger.
“Independence anniversary not only offers us opportunity to give thanks to God for preserving us despite the challenges but also a time to reflect on how we, as citizens and leaders, can contribute to strengthening our country, uphold peace and harmony and embrace the common humanity that shines so brilliantly through our diversity.

“Although we are passing through a myriad of challenges, nothing is insurmountable if we set our minds to it. With our never-say-never attitude, we can surmount our present challenges. I call on all Nigerians to renew faith with Nigeria as we commemorate another Independence anniversary,” he said.

In his message, Nnamani declared that an egalitarian society, where every citizen felt a sense of brotherhood was feasible if justice, equity and fairness to all were the cardinal principles and hallmarks of governance in Nigeria.
According to him, the uncertainties in the socio-economic and political life of our country, agitations in some quarters as well as violent crimes in parts of the country could be curtailed if citizens felt a sense of belonging and accommodation in the Nigerian equation.

“We need to review our approach with a view to fashioning out a workable solution to the intractable crises,” he said, pointing out that it did not require rocket science to address challenges facing the nation but a simple and honest application of administrative and psychological strategies to address the vexed issues of marginalisation, inequality, impunity and disregard for the rule of law.

He dismissed as false the notion that Nigeria was a complex society to administer and contended that those who resorted to the emotional fault lines of ethnicity, tribe or religion to gain advantage over others were only myopic or incompetent.

He believed that Nigeria could be redeemed from the present state of uncertainties if leaders at all levels showed the light through adherence to the principle of the rule of law, equity and justice for all irrespective of status in the society.

Also, Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to Ghana, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has urged Nigerians to continue to acknowledge, respect and tolerate their diversities, which said was enshrined in their unity, justice and equity.
He, therefore, enjoined everyone “to work hand-in-hand for the growth, development, and advancement of our dear nation and its people.”

Nigeria Will Never Fail, Says PDP

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, reviewed Nigeria’s 61 years of nationhood and concluded that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has gone down in history as the worst in the annals of her national life.

It, however, said no matter what the situation might be, Nigeria would never fail.
In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, PDP said the push by this administration to sink the nation to the precipices was evident in the daily lives, the lies, injustices, violations, state-backed violence, impunity, nepotism, treasury looting, harsh economic policies and accommodation of terrorism, but claimed the nation has continued to survive by the resilient spirit of Nigerians.

“Our party, however, asserts that though the APC and its government have been pushing the nation to the brinks, Nigeria, as a nation, will never fail.

“It is painful that all the gains made by our nation since independence in 1960 and especially, during the 16 years of the PDP in office, including the entrenchment of national unity and cohesiveness, freedom and personal liberty of citizens, rule of law, credible elections, justice, equity, fairness and economic progress; the very elements of an independent state, have all been reversed by the APC and the Buhari Presidency.”

The PDP said the Buhari Presidency and the APC have on all fronts taken the nation back to the pre-independence days with associated bondage mentality and frustration resulting in many losing faith in the system and leaving the country in droves within the last six years.

The PDP, therefore, asked: “Is it not an irony that our nation is celebrating independence in the face of subverted elections, brazen crackdown on the opposition and dissenting voices as well as other suppressive acts including the muzzling of free speech as witnessed in the ban on Twitter in Nigeria?

“Is it not also an irony that as we celebrate independence, thousands of our compatriots are falling victims to extra-judicial killings, arbitrary arrests and illegal detention in dehumanising cells; which underscore the horrible situation under President Buhari and the APC, as even profiled by reputable international organisations, including Amnesty International (AI) and US Department of State?

“How can we celebrate when the APC government has no answers to the murdering of our youths by security operatives as witnessed in the EndSARS protest killings of 2020 and, where those who demand for accountability in governance are being hounded, harassed and framed?

“Is it not painful that under President Buhari, our nation has been opened up to terrorists, bandits and kidnappers, who are wantonly killing our citizens while their known apologists are enjoying official cover with one of them even holding office as cabinet minister?

“How can we celebrate, when the APC has plunged our nation into economic slavery with over N33.1 trillion accumulated debt, a 33 per cent unemployment rate, collapse of productive sectors and a weakened naira from the N167 to a dollar handed over to President Buhari in 2015 to a dismal N576 to a dollar today?”
PDP said the incontrovertible truth was that there was no hope in sight under the APC and that was why there were no drums on the streets to celebrate Nigeria at 61.

“If anything, Nigerians are using the occasion of the 61st independence anniversary to further strengthen their resolve to take back their country from the stranglehold of the APC, come 2023,” it said.

Diplomatic Community Celebrates Nigeria

The diplomatic community has also enlisted as one of Nigeria’s critical development partners, and bore the need to be part of Nigeria’s independence anniversary celebration at 61.
U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard said, “As Nigeria celebrates its national day, we celebrate our enduring bilateral partnership with the continent’s regional, political, and economic powerhouse.

“We appreciate Nigeria’s leadership in the region, standing up for the integrity of democratic nations in West Africa. Nigeria was among the first to condemn the recent coup in Guinea, regularly recognises the need for presidential term limits, and supports its best and brightest to serve in the highest ranks of international organisations – most recently demonstrated by Chikwe Ihekweazu’s recent appointment to Assistant Director-General at the World Health Organization.”

Also, President Ram Nath Kovind of India, while congratulating the government and people of Nigeria, said, “India and Nigeria have warm, friendly and deep rooted ties. Our multifaceted relations have further been expanded and strengthened by regular and cordial engagements at various levels.

“India and Nigeria have strong relations. Despite challenges during the pandemic, our economic relations have gained strength. Please, accept my best wishes for Your Excellency’s good health and well-being as well as for the continued prosperity and progress of the friendly people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

President of France, Emmanuel Macron, while felicitating with Nigerians, in a letter to President Buhari said, “On the occasion of the National Day of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I am pleased to extend to you, on my behalf and on behalf of the French people, my warmest congratulations, which also go to all Nigerian citizens.

“You know my personal attachment to the relationship between France and Nigeria, the continent’s leading economic and demographic power. I firmly believe that it is in the mutual interest of our two countries to strengthen this relationship on all fronts.

“Since my visit in July 2018, the ties between our two countries have continued to strengthen, especially, in the economic field. I was happy to welcome you in Paris on May 18th, on the occasion of your participation in the Summit on the financing of African economies. The creation of the Franco-Nigerian Business Council, which met last June at the Palace of Versailles, will, I hope, allow the birth of many structuring projects between French and Nigerian companies.

“The number of Nigerian students present in France has been increasing at a sustained rate over the past three years, and I am delighted that they can contribute to the growth of Nigeria and the development of ties between our two countries. Finally, the participation in a few days of young Nigerian artists, entrepreneurs and creators in the New Africa-France Summit in Montpellier will make it possible to intensify the exchanges between French and Nigerian civil society.

“We can do even more together, because France and Nigeria share many common interests, both on regional and security issues and on global issues. I, therefore, hope that our countries will intensify their exchanges on all subjects.”

CAN: Nigeria Will Recover from Challenges

The Leadership of the Christian Association Nigeria (CAN) has expressed confidence that Nigeria would recover from the present challenges confronting her and return to a peaceful and prosperous nation.

In a statement by CAN President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, CAN said bad and selfish leadership in the past years had largely contributed to the unfortunate state the country has found herself today.
He said these bad leaders did not plan for the country to grow adding if they did, they never made effort to implement the development plans.

“They embezzled the commonwealth of the nation. By their action, they threw the citizens into unnecessary sufferings and pains. Unemployed youths have taken to criminalities.

“The situation, humanly speaking, appears bleak but knowing that God is not man and with him, all things are possible, this is the right time to believe that there shall be showers of blessings, because some people are praying for this country. There shall be showers of blessings because God shall judge the evil doers in the nation,” he said.
He noted that as a result of years of bad governance, jobless youths had been trying frantically to run abroad in search for better life.

“Some in the process perished in the Mediterranean Sea or ended up being used as sex slaves. Some got themselves engaged in armed robbery and internet fraud,” expressing hope that the future was bright for the country.
“In the forthcoming 2023 election, no wicked leader shall be voted into power no matter how wealthy and powerful he or she may be in the name of Jesus Christ. On behalf of myself and Christian Association of Nigeria, I congratulate all Nigerians on this occasion of the 61st Independence Anniversary of Nigeria from colonial rule of the British,” he said.

Gbajabiamila Calls for Peaceful Co-existence

The Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has appealed to Nigerians to be more united for the common purpose of building a country that meets the best expectations of all Nigerians.
Gbajabiamila, in a message marking Nigeria’s 61st Independence Anniversary, said Nigeria was Nigerians’ only country and its unity was priceless.

Though he recognised the fact that the country faced significant challenges, he said in the past 61 years, Nigeria had grown and developed beyond imagination.
While urging every Nigerian to drop their sentiments and work together for a better nation, Gbajabiamila said Nigerian leaders were doing their best to see an end to the challenges facing the country, especially, the insecurity across the country.

He noted that such efforts required the support of all citizens, irrespective of political affiliations.
The Speaker reassured Nigerians that the 9th Assembly would always give the necessary legislative interventions to other arms of government to smoothen the task of governance.
“As far as I am concerned, there is no country on earth like Nigeria, and I know every patriotic Nigerian holds this view. Nigerians must all work together to fulfil the dream of a nation of peaceful coexistence and abundant prosperity,” he said.

Nigeria Moving in Wrong Direction, Says Catholic Church

The Catholic Church has said things in the country were no longer moving in the right direction.
In a message to mark Nigeria at 61, both the Holy Father, Pope Francis and Catholic Bishops of Nigeria expressed sadness at the desperate situation in the country.

A statement signed by the National Director of Social Communications, CSN, Abuja, Padre Mike Nsikak Umoh, “Nigeria at 61 is definitely on a different course from where it should be. It is very unfortunate that since last year, when we celebrated our 60th, things have further deteriorated so much, such that life has become so cheap while suffering and hunger have multiplied in the land.

The church said it was saddening that Nigerians were still dying every day through very barbaric and senseless killings.
The Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, therefore, added their voices to that of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to appeal to those in government and those who have power, to desist from actions and policies that have continued to plunge the nation into violence and crisis.

The statement quoted Pope Francis and the bishops as appealing to those in government to take sincere and positive steps to deliver the people from their tormentors.
The Bishops further appealed to all Nigerians to respect human life and strive for peace in the country, that is based on justice and equity.

“To all victims of the violence and killings in the land, they send their prayers and condolences. They call on all men and women of goodwill, irrespective of their religious affiliation, to pray ceaselessly for our nation. Finally, they dedicate Nigeria to the powerful intercession of our Blessed Mother Mary, the Queen of Nigeria,” the statement stated.

Labour: Let’s Resume Our March to Greatness

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Organised Labour in Nigeria, has congratulated Nigerian workers, people and the government on the occasion of nation’s 61stIndependence Anniversary, saying the time to resume the march to greatness has come.

“This is indeed another remarkable milestone in the history of our country. There is no gainsaying the contribution of Nigeria’s working class to national development, peace and unity.
“On this commemoration of another independence anniversary, we recall and honour the selfless efforts of heroes and heroines past and present – Nigerian workers, our pensioners including ex-servicemen and women, members of the armed services, our women, our youths, and Nigerian children,” Labour stated in a statement by its president, Comrade Ayuba Wabba.

According to him, “Upon the attainment of independence sixty-one years ago, a lot was expected of the country that hosts the largest population of black people on the planet. It was on the strength of that hope that Nigeria shortly after Independence became the pilgrimage destination for many development minded world leaders including the famed Lee Kuan Yew of the Singapore phenomenal transformation.

“Sixty-one years ago, Nigeria was certainly on a march to greatness. In every part of the country, there was a manifest gush of hope, faith, energy and commitment in the stride of most Nigerians as our compatriots strove to prove a point that independence was not a fluke – that indeed we could do better than the white colonial administrators.

“Indeed, we sure made such a huge progress in those initial years of our national life. Those were the days of the famed groundnut pyramid in Kano, palm oil plantations in the Eastern region, the rubber estates in the Mid-West and the cocoa fields in Southwestern Nigeria. Life was indeed safe, secured and abundant!

“Then, politics happened. Instead of building on the zeal and energy of Nigerian workers and people to redeem the image of the black race, which was badly mauled by slave trade and colonisation, our political leaders shifted their eyes from the dreams of a great country and became fixated with the delusion of personal conquests through primitive accumulation of wealth aided by a deliberate divide and rule politics. Till today, after many successive governments, our country is yet to recover from the tsunami of ethno-religious politics, values disorientation, and the weakening of unifying institutions.”

He said it was time to own up to “the truth of our self-inflicted pains and examine closely, where we lost it as a nation. It is not too late to resume our paused march to greatness. We can still become that country that accords the pride of place to truth, productivity, hard work, excellence, integrity, patriotism, service and sacrifice.

“We can still create industries for our teeming youths to gain decent jobs. We can still provide the excellent infrastructure that inspires inclusive economic growth. We can still foster an atmosphere of rule of law, equity, social justice, peace, law and order as a sustainable cure for the deregulated crises of violence in many parts of Nigeria. We can still regain our humanity of love and care for workers and pensioners.”