Nigeria Will Be Great Again : Independence Message to All Nigerians

Godswill Akpabio, the Senate president; Tajudeen Abbas, the House speaker; Seyi Makinde, the governor of Oyo State; and Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, have all assured Nigerians that their country will once again be great.

Separately, on the eve of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day, both men urged fellow countrymen at home and in the diaspora to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration, as reported by Channels TV.

Although the political climate is tense at the moment, Akpabio expressed optimism for the future by highlighting the country’s 63-year history of accomplishments.

The President of the Senate acknowledged Nigeria’s unique struggles during that time, adding that every nation has a different path and set of challenges to overcome.

As the unique Nigerian struggles increasingly reinforce the fabrics of national cohesion, Akpabio said he was confident in claiming that Nigeria was now on the right path to rediscovery.

It’s easy to let worries about the economy and national security overshadow the achievements of the past 63 years, he warned.

“I would venture to say that the world has and continues to reckon with Nigeria in a number of fields of endeavour, including business, politics, sports, and the arts.

Indeed, I must today salute Nigerian music and showbiz stars who have almost through sheer grit and grace taken the world stage with various individual achievements.

In light of this, I urge all Nigerians to hold on to optimism for their country.

Threat of Worker Strike

Abbas, in a statement released on Saturday for Independence Day by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Musa Krishi, urged citizens and compatriots to maintain optimism for the country, predicting that naysayers and pessimists would soon be proven wrong.

The Speaker reassured the people that the nation still has hope and the potential to reclaim its leadership position in the comity of nations, thanks in large part to the country’s plentiful human and natural resources.

He pleaded with unions affiliated with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to abandon their plan to launch a nationwide strike on Tuesday over welfare-related issues.

Abbas maintains that it would be counterproductive at this time to launch a nationwide indefinite strike. Instead, he claimed, it would make matters worse.

The Speaker requested that the strike be suspended and that the unions negotiate with the federal government in an effort to reach a peaceful resolution.

“Everyone, Take The Wheel”

Makinde urged his fellow countrymen to envision and work towards a brighter future for Nigeria by focusing on the country’s potential rather than its problems.

The governor, in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary Sulaiman Olanrewaju, congratulated the President and all Nigerians on the occasion of the independence anniversary and said it was time to put the country first.

The governor continued, saying that the only way to make the country great again was to put in the work of rebuilding it.

We’ve had a rough ride as a nation, but the future holds far more promise than danger, as Makinde put it.

We failed to properly manage our unique qualities and our resources in the past. But now is the time to make amends for the mistakes of the past.

“Therefore, rather than being disheartened by the difficulties, we should be inspired by the opportunities that lie ahead.”

“Pause For Thought”

Sanwo-Olu also urged Nigerians at home and abroad to back the federal government and all state governments in their work to create what he called a “new, prosperous Nigeria.”

In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary Gboyega Akosile, the governor of Lagos State urged all Nigerians to continue loving and accepting one another despite their religious and ethnic differences.

He went on to say that all Nigerians’ encouragement and support were crucial to the country’s future success.

“Every October 1st is a time to reflect on the journey of our nationhood, to rededicate ourselves to the task of nation-building, and to continue to work hard at building a formidable nation in Africa and the world at large,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He honoured the nation’s forefathers and modern-day patriots alike for their contributions to the country’s stability, progress, and prosperity.

“As we celebrate our 63rd Independence Anniversary, I appeal to all Nigerians, particularly residents of Lagos, to unite with renewed determination and commitment to move Nigeria and Lagos State forward against all odds,” he said.

Let us keep up the good work of collaborating for tranquilly in the great state of Lagos and all of Nigeria. Let’s help President Bola Tinubu’s administration implement Renewed Hope. We must use our differences to strengthen our community rather than tear it apart.