Michael Olugbode in Damaturu, Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo, Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja, Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia and Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja
Five of the nine states created 32 years ago by former military president Ibrahim Babangida, yesterday, marked their anniversary with reminiscences of the journey so far.
The states created on August 27, 1991 were Osun, Edo, Kogi, Abia, Yobe, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, and Taraba. But yesterday, only five of them held ceremonies to celebrate their anniversary.
YOBE STATE
Speaking on the 32 years of creation, Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, said the state had every reason to appreciate the Almighty God, in spite of the upheavals.
Buni, who congratulated the people of the state, said they “have every reason to appreciate Allah (SWT) for the journey in spite of the challenges, tribulations and ugly experiences that bedevilled the state.
“We appreciate the founding fathers of our dear state for their foresight and commitment in ensuring we became a state 32 years ago. The resilience, support and cooperation of our people had been quite rewarding in our journey to have travelled this far and achieved this much with more hope for prosperity.
“Although we had faced some daring challenges that threatened our existence as a state, Alhamdulillah, we have weathered the storm and moved ahead for a better and prosperous state.”
The governor thanked the people for supporting government policies and programmes on the post-Boko Haram Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction process for a better Yobe State.
Buni also commended Yobe people in the diaspora for their contributions and interest in developments at home, saying, “We appreciate your contributions and the zeal to collectively move our state forward.”
OSUN STATE
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, urged citizens to work together in order to create a state that would prosper economically. Adeleke stated this yesterday while delivering his speech to commemorate the state’s 32nd anniversary. He said the occasion was a crucial turning point in Osun’s history.
The governor stated, “I am honoured to address you today on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of our beloved Osun State. On August 27th, 1991, our state was carved out from the old Oyo State.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the history of our great state. As we reflect upon the journey, let us acknowledge what shaped our state and chart a course for a brighter and more prosperous future.
“Our state’s creation was the outcome of the struggles of our people. The founding fathers worked hard to realise the vision. The struggle started as early as the 1950s with a series of commissions of inquiry in the old Oyo State.
“The doggedness of the founding fathers was rewarded on August 27th 1991, when General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida created nine states, including Osun State, with Osogbo as the capital.
“This marked the recognition of our unique cultural heritage and rich history. The creation of Osun State was a testament to our collective determination to achieve self-governance and development.”
EDO STATE
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, said the country was experiencing harrowing times, with the future looking bleak amid the current socio-economic challenges. But Obaseki urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the country, despite the prevailing circumstances.
The governor spoke at an interdenominational thanksgiving service to mark the Midwest Referendum and 32nd anniversary of Edo State, held at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City.
Obaseki stated that the glory of the new Edo nation stood on the threshold of transformation in the areas of infrastructure, development, innovation, and inclusiveness in building a state where humanity thrived.
He said, “I appreciate all those who have created time to come and worship with us at the 60th Mid-West Referendum and 32nd anniversary of Edo State.
“We are here today to praise and thank God for what He has done for us as a people. Yes, things are difficult, times are hard, and the future looks bleak, but we must thank God as it can only get better with our belief and hope in Him. This morning, I am expected to make some declarations upon the state and the glory of the new Edo nation.”
Quoting Psalms 24: 1-2, Obaseki said, “Dear citizens of Edo State, blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. The people He chose for his inheritance, the earth is of the Lord and everything in it, the world and all who live in it, for He founded it on the sea and established it on the waters.
The immediate past Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, congratulated the people and government of Edo State on the 32nd anniversary of the state.
Agba, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a statement, said Edo had come so far as a result of unity and hard work, adding, “While we are still a work in progress, I believe that we will achieve a greater Edo.”
The former minister commended successive administrations, both military and civilian, for contributing their quotas to the development of the state. He also commended the traditional institutions and royalties for interfacing between government and the people in achieving peace and enhancing security in their domains.
ABIA STATE
In Abia State, Governor Alex Otti said his administration had taken it as a “sacred duty” to make the state actualise its full potential.
In a state-wide broadcast yesterday to mark the 32nd anniversary of Abia State, Otti said, “Our (founding) fathers fought for the creation of this state in the confidence that its potentials for greatness would be best actualised by becoming a distinct entity, defined by peculiar traditions and values of the people.”
Otti, who mounted the saddle of Abia leadership on May 29, 2023, vowed that making Abia great was a task that must be done, and, “We cannot afford to fail, for that would be the ultimate betrayal.”
He said the founding fathers of the state, fondly known as God’s Own State, had lofty dreams and expectations, and having passed the torch down to the current leaders, “We must keep it burning.”
The governor stated that the anniversary “offers us an opportunity to think deeply and reflect.” He said he also wanted Abians “to look at how far we have come and think about how farther we can go.
“We have come a long way but the road ahead is still far. While we pat ourselves on the back for having come thus far, we must have it at the back of our minds that our founding fathers expect so much more.”
KOGI STATE:
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State reiterated his administration’s commitment to support President Bola Tinubu in the measures taken so far to reposition the country and to restore a renewed hope to the generality of Nigerians.
In a state broadcast to the people of Kogi State to mark the 32 anniversary of its creation, Bello explained that Kogi State was fully in support of recent hard decisions taken by the administration of Tinubu to free Nigeria from some institutionalised practices with which ordinary Nigerians had been forced.
“The twin policies, though acutely necessary for freeing our people from the clutches of chronic exploitation, have not been without labour pains. Indeed, their implementation has been quite hard on all Nigerians, including our people here in Kogi State. In response, the federal government has laid out a scheme of palliatives to cushion some of the painful impact.
“Let me assure us that here in Kogi State your government is putting finishing touches to your own basket of palliatives and will soon deliver them to your doorsteps. These are hard times, but we promise to be with you every step of the way.
“On this anniversary, I have decided to reference my own contributions as a leader over the eight years of my tenure, which began on 27th of January, 2016 and will round off, by the grace of God Almighty alone, on the same day next year 2024.
“As for my predecessors, it suffices to say that their times in office, including their triumphs and failures, all contribute to the land and people we have become and are becoming as we march resolutely towards the greater future that we dream of. I salute each and every one of them and do thank them sincerely, on behalf of all of us, for their services – such as it may have been.”
