Independence Day: I won’t disappoint Nigerians -Jonathan •Obama, Mark, Tambuwal, govs, others speak
PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, in Abuja, on Tuesday, restated the commitment of his administration to doing what is right to improve the living standard of the people.
Jonathan made the pledge while receiving the Primatial Award of Excellence in Christian Stewardship from the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), at the Presidential Villa.
He stated that the desired transformation of the country could be realised within a short period of time, if government continued to take critical steps in the right direction.
The president reiterated his position that the current challenges facing the country were temporary, adding that with the support and prayers of Nigerians, they would be over in no time.
“For me and the Vice President, as well as the Federal Government, by the grace of God and the willingness of Nigerians, we will do our best to improve the quality of life of our people.
“We have our Transformation Agenda. It is not something we can do overnight, even if you have all the money in the world.
“We have drawn our map and we have progressed. I believe we are progressing in the right direction,” he said.
Jonathan commended Christians and other religious bodies for their constant prayers for the unity, peace and progress of the country.
He particularly thanked the Anglican Church for bringing him up in the fear of God, noting that he was where he was today because of the church.
Reflecting on his political career, the president said nobody knew how he rose to the top, adding that he would tell the true story after leaving office.
“My political journey is what nobody can tell. Without God, I wouldn’t have been here, because most people know about it, but maybe when I leave office, that is when I will tell the true story of my journey,” he said.
Earlier, the Primate, Church of Nigeria, the Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh, said that the award was in recognition of the president’s commitment to even development of the country.
Obama sends goodwill message
By Christian Okeke – Abuja
PRESIDENt Barack Obama, on Tuesday, sent goodwill message to Nigeria as it marks its 54th independence anniversary.
Obama said American people wished the people of Nigeria a memorable celebration, filled with joy and increased national unity.
In the message, the American leader noted that Nigeria continued to play a key leadership role in Africa at the United Nations (UN), in promoting regional peace and stability.
He observed that at the heart of the enduring friendship between both countries was the shared commitment to democratic values, the rule of law and economic development.
“We look forward to strengthening our relationship and working closely in the coming year, especially in promoting good governance and combating terrorism,” he said.
Nigeria’s indivisibility not negotiable —Mark
By Taiwo Adisa – Abuja
SENATE President, David Mark, on Tuesday, said Nigeria’s indivisibility is not negotiable, adding that the challenges of nationhood notwithstanding, Nigeria would attain greatness.
The Senate President said Nigeria was destined for greatness, adding that the country would overcome its current challenges
In an independence Day anniversary message made public on Tuesday, Mark asked Nigerians to renew their faith in the country .
He also asked his compatriots to have faith and remain steadfast in promoting peace and unity no matter the challenge, as, according to him, there was no place like Nigeria on the face of the earth.
Senator Mark recalled that Nigeria had undergone challenges, including the 30-month civil war, but, however, said the challeges were surmountable.
He dismissed insinuation in some quarters that Nigeria had not made progress since independence, saying “let us cast our minds back a little and see the number of road networks, schools, universities, health institutions, telecommunication and a host of others.
“We may not have been where we want to be, but we have made appreciable progress and we can do more. All we need to do is to strengthen our unity as one people with one mission and purpose. The stable democracy has offered us opportunity to harness our abundant resources for good,” he said.
Tambuwal warns politicians not to heat up polity
By Kolawole Daniel – Abuja
SPEAKER of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, on Tuesday, said with elections scheduled for early 2015, all leaders must avoid acts that heat up the polity.
He equally urged Nigerians to work tirelessly to promote the tenets of democracy, good governance and responsible citizenry.
The speaker, in a statement to mark Nigeria;s Independence Day anniversary, issued in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, also tasked the political elite to moderate their utterances and be mindful of their responsibility to the country.
“What is of paramount importance now is for political office holders to approach elections with the intentions to play by the rules,” he said.
Tambuwal restated the commitment of the House of Representatives to uphold the ideals of a united Nigeria which, he said, would take its rightful place in the comity of nations.
Don’t lose hope, Fayose urges Nigerians
EKITI State governor-elect, Mr Ayo Fayose, has urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the country, saying God’s intervention in the affairs of the nation will not stop until the country overcomes all the challenges confronting it.
In a message in Ado-Ekiti, on Tuesday, to mark the 54th independence anniversary of the country, made available to the press through his chief press secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, Fayose noted that “with God all things are possible,” adding that those fomenting trouble and planning evil for the nation would be put to shame.
While felicitating with the people of Ekiti State and Nigeria on the remarkable occasion, he said despite all odds, Nigerians would see that they could still count their blessings and thank God.
Fayose advised the people to continue to pray for and support his incoming administration, adding that “with God on our side, we are going to provide quality leadership that will better the lives of the people.”
Mimiko grants amnesty to 15 prisoners
ONDO State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has granted amnesty to 15 prisoners serving different jail terms in the state, to mark the 54th Independence anniversary of the country.
According to a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, the governor’s gesture was in line with the power conferred on him by Section 212 (1) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
They were all granted amnesty on the ground of good conduct.
According to the statement, the amnesty was exercise of the governor’s power to grant prerogative of mercy to convicts as conferred by the constitution of the country, while the amnesty takes immediate effect.
Meanwhile, Governor Mimiko has called for unity among Nigerians, even as he urged for more prayers to make the nation overcome its challenges.
In his Independence message, made available by Akinmade, Mimiko said God had interest in the entity called Nigeria and thus encouraged the people to be optimistic, saying “there will always be light at the end of the tunnel.”
Nigeria will survive —Ahmed
By Biola Azeez – Ilorin
KWARA State governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, has predicted that Nigeria is destined to survive as one of the greatest and prosperous nations of the world.
Governor Ahmed said this in his Independence anniversary congratulatory message to Nigerians, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba.
Governor Ahmed said “most countries that went through trying periods, as currently being experienced by the country, usually emerge strong, prosperous and united,” adding, therefore, that “Nigeria may not be an exception.”
He urged Nigerians to use the 54th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence to rededicate themselves to the ideals of national development, unity and cohesion, even in the face of obviously daunting socio-economic challenges.
Chidoka assures of improved air safety
By Clement Idoko – Abuja
MINISTER of Aviation, Mr Osita Chidoka, has assured Nigerians of a continuously improved security and safety of air travellers, just as the nation celebrates the 54th anniversary of its existence as a sovereign independent state.
He congratulated Nigerians on the anniversary celebration in a statement by Mr James Odaudu, Assistant Direct, Press and Public Affairs in the ministry on Tuesday.
Chidoka said there was no better legacy to bequeath to the nation at this age than the assurance of a safe and secure airspace through the provision of world-class facilities and navigational equipment at the nation’s airports and the establishment of international operational standards for both local and foreign airlines.
He added no government in Nigeria had shown the capacity and high level of commitment to the transformation of the aviation sector as done by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
He said this had translated into the soaring of confidence of both local and foreign investors in the industry.
Respect for people’s democratic rights’ll make independence meaningful —Aregbesola
By Oluwole Ige – Osogbo
GOVERNOR Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday, identified respect for peoples’ freedom to willingly choose their leaders as the only ingredient that can make the nation’s emancipation from colonial rule meaningful.
In a message signed by his director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, the governor affirmed that “independence, in the true sense of the word, will only make meaning if people of the nation have unrestricted free will to elect their leaders at all tiers of government.”
Aregbesola, who noted that refusal to allow peoples’ will and aspirations to be freely expressed often resulted in chaos and confusion, tasked leaders and people of the country to come to terms with the reality of what democracy means, which he said underscored “unfettered freedom of expression, of choice of those whom the people want to rule them.”
According to him, “democracy as a system of government only has meaning in an atmosphere of freedom. Our nation stands to benefit immensely if the will of the people supersedes the individual leader’s ambition.
“We, as a nation, must put our acts together from now on and remain focused on how to move this country to greater heights.”
While maintaining that the primary message of the nation’s independence anniversary should dwell more on freedom, Aregbesola said “Nigeria’s independence will be meaningless, unless there is absolute respect for democratic ethos.”
‘Bad leadership worse than Ebola’
By Bola Badmus – Lagos
A youth political pressure group, Advocate for Collective Transformation (ACT), said the effect of bad leadership in the country cannot be compared to ravaging Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).
“Ebola killed about 20 people in Nigeria, while bad leadership and corruption had killed hundreds of thousands since after our independence in 1960,” the group lamented.
The group said this in its independence anniversary message, signed by its national president, Mr Oluwatayo Fashogbon and national secretary, Isaac Ifetoluwa Ajayi.
The ACT, however, said things would not have been that bad in the country if the leadership had equally deployed the veracity of energy to stop the spread of Ebola to every sector of governance.
Globacom congratulates Nigeria
NIGERIA’S national telecommunications carrier, Globacom, has congratulated the people and government of Nigeria on the occasion of the 54th independence anniversary of the country.
Globacom, a wholly-owned indigenous company with network coverage across the nation, said in a statement in Lagos, that the occasion was worthy of celebration, considering the challenges Nigeria had surmounted in the last 54 years, in spite of which the country had remained strong and indivisible.
“We rejoice with our beloved nation, Nigeria, the Federal Government, state governments, local governments and our esteemed compatriots across the nation on this great occasion.
“We acknowledge that we have challenges as a nation, but we should not allow this to overwhelm us. Instead, we need to look at the achievements we have recorded in the last 54 years. That will serve as positive reinforcement of our resolve to march on till we get to our desired destination,” Globacom said.
The company particularly congratulated Nigerians on the sustenance of democracy since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999 and for weathering all the storms that arose on the political front.
The day is about to break for Nigeria —Babalola
PEOPLES Democratic Party’s (PDP) stalwart, Mr Femi Babalola, has called on Nigerians not to lose hope, just as he assured that the day was about to break for the country.
Babalola, an aspirant for the Oyo State PDP governorship ticket for the 2015 election, stated this in a congratulatory message on the occasion of Nigeria’s 54th independence anniversary celebrations, which was signed by his media aide, Mr Tosin Omojola.
“To some Nigerians, there is nothing to celebrate, while to some others, it is the other way round; but I want to use this occasion to appeal to Nigerians to remain steadfast and hopeful, because the day is about to break for the country.’’
Let’s tolerate one another —NANS
THE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), ‘Zone C’ has advised Nigerians on the need to tolerate one another and focus on the hope we have as a nation.
The ‘Zone C’ coordinator of NANS, Mr Adio Friday Odunjo, in a statement made available to newsmen in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, on Tuesday, condemned the act of terrorism against the Nigerian state and its people.
He called on the perpetrators of heinous act to embrace dialogue and desist from wanton destruction of lives and property.
He stressed further that “NANS wishes to commend the spirit of patriotism of Nigerians in keeping faith in our nationhood in the face of challenges.
“We call on the political class to desist from heating up the polity and concentrate on developmental issues and welfare of Nigerians.”
Police declare readiness to ensure hitch-free celebration
By Saliu Gbadamosi – Bauchi
AS Nigeria celebrates its 54th Independence day today, the Bauchi State police command has declared it readiness to ensure a hitch-free celebration, even as it assures that its officers and men have been deployed in the 20 local government areas of the state to provide adequate security in the state.
The command’s spokesman, DSP Haruna Mohammed, told journalists in Bauchi, on Tuesday, that men of the command were being deployed for aerial patrol across the state, saying that this would be complemented with motorised patrols, intelligence operatives and undercover agents, to ensure a total security for the state.
According to Mohammed, policemen would be deployed in strategic locations across the state, with a view to ensuring peaceful and hitch-free celebration.
“All dark spots, highways, critical public infrastructure, shopping malls, parks and gardens, as well as relaxation centres would be given adequate security to enable residents of the state enjoy a hitch-free independence day celebration,” he said.
Let’s pray to uphold our nascent democracy —Ekiti Speaker
SPEAKER of the Ekiti House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin, on Tuesday, called on Nigerians to pray for peace, unity and the sustenance of the nation’s democracy.
Omirin’s call was contained in his message to Nigerians on the 54th celebration of the nation’s independence on Wednesday.
“Nigeria has lived for 54 years now and everything must be done to sustain her unity by her citizens, irrespective of their social and political differences.
“Politicians must play the game according to the rules, in order for us to uphold our nascent democracy,” he said.
Similarly, a member of the state House of Assembly, Mr Samuel Ajibola, has said Nigerians have reasons to celebrate the nation at 54 years.
According to him, there had been a lot of positive changes, especially since the last 13 years of the nation’s democracy.
Kwara Speaker charges Nigerians
By Biola Azeez – Ilorin
SPEAKER of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Razak Atunwa, has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the nation’s 54th independence anniversary to reflect on issues threatening the stability and corporate existence of the country.
The Speaker, in his 54th independence anniversary celebration message to Nigerians, noted with displeasure that the nation had been confronted with insecurity, corruption, terrorism, do-or-die politics and other vices, which according to him had impeded the political emancipation and socio-economic development of the nation.
He said though it was a thing of joy to witness 54th year of nationhood, in spite of civil war and other challenges and called on Nigerians to demonstrate high sense of patriotism to make the nation overcome her travails.
The Speaker, who preached love and tolerance of one another on the occasion of the independence anniversary, noted that the nation had lost collosal human and material resources due to insurgence and other vices in recent years and called for a reverse of the trend.
Akran of Badagry calls for unity
THE Akran of Badagry, Aholu Menu-Toyi 1, has called on Nigerians to stay united in order to solve problems currently facing the country.
He made the call on Tuesday, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Badagry.
The traditional ruler called for peace and stability of the country, as the nation marks its 54th independence anniversary.
“This is the time for Nigerians to unite and stand for one cause, because without this, we will not be able to solve our problems.
“We want stability and peace in Nigeria; politicians should know when to put their differences aside to avoid disagreements and crisis, as crisis will not allow any country to develop.
“Once stability and peace can be sustained, we will be able to achieve so many things, especially in building infrastructure for socio-economic development of the country,” he said.
Reps hopeful applauds Jonathan on security
By Udeme Utip – Uyo
A leading contender in the forthcoming House of Representatives election for Uyo Federal Constituency, Lady Sylvia Ekong, has commended President Goodluck Jonathan and security agencies in the country for their commitment and sacrifice in tackling current security challenges.
However, Ekong has assured that over 200 Chibok schoolgirls still being held captive by Boko Haram shall be set free, stressing that Nigeria would ultimately triumph over them.
The House of Representatives hopeful dropped the hint in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, while exchanging views on the significance of Nigeria’s 54th Independence Anniversary.
“Let me use this unique opportunity to appreciate the efforts and commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan and of course, that of the armed forces, for the gallant services they have been rendering to this country, in spite of the challenges we have.
“If we did not have a determined and conscientious armed forces, by this time, the insurgency would have engulfed the entire 36 states and the FCT.
“I know what they have been doing and I believe, God being with us, we will overcome our challenges,’’ she said.
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