By Halimah Olamide
On the occasion of Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, prominent leaders across the country have conveyed greetings and words of encouragement to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians and have assured of utmost capacity to overcome challenges.
As Nigeria marks her 63rd Independence on Sunday, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu and all state governments in their efforts to birth a new, prosperous Nigeria.
The Governor also implored Nigerians to continue to live with one another in love, unity and peace, irrespective of their religious or ethnic differences, adding that all the citizens’ support and encouragement are key for a better and prosperous Nigeria.
Governor Sanwo-Olu in a statement issued on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Gboyega Akosile on the 63rd Independence Anniversary, said Nigerians should unite with renewed determination, hope and commitment to move the country forward against all odds, saying President Tinubu and all the 36 State Governors are committed to addressing different challenges currently being experienced across the country.
“Every October 1st is a time to reflect on the journey of our nationhood, to rededicate ourselves to the task of nation-building, and continue to work hard at building a formidable nation in Africa and the world at large.
“I wish to pay tribute to all of our heroes, past and present, founding fathers, nationalists and those who have laboured and sacrificed and all that continue to labour and sacrifice for peace, unity, growth and development of our country.
“As we celebrate our 63rd Independence Anniversary, I appeal to all Nigerians, particularly Lagos residents, to unite with renewed determination and commitment to move Nigeria and Lagos State forward against all odds. Let us continue to work together for peace in our dear Lagos State and Nigeria. Let us support President Bola Tinubu’s government to achieve his Renewed Hope agenda. Let our diversity be a source of strength and not a factor of disintegration.
“I want to use this medium to reassure Lagos residents of our administration’s commitment to the delivery of dividends of democracy, good governance and people-oriented programmes through the THEMES+ developmental agenda for Greater Lagos. We need continuous support from the people for us to achieve the Lagos of our dreams.
“I wish all Lagosians and Nigerians a Happy 63rd Independence Anniversary. May the labour of our heroes past and present never be in vain,” Governor Sanwo-Olu prayed. He wrote.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio in his message noted the particular struggles that Nigeria has passed through as a country in the last 63 years, Senator Akpabio and stated that each country has its own unique path with unique challenges it must pass through.
Affirming that the fabrics of national cohesion are increasingly being braced by the unique Nigerian struggles, Senator Akpabio said that he was confident to assert that Nigeria was now on the correct pathway to rediscovery.
“As we reminisce on our 63 years as a country, it is tempting to allow present economic and security considerations becloud the triumphs of our nationhood.
“I dare say that in several fields of endeavour, the world has reckoned and continues to reckon with Nigeria in 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 a number of individual accomplishments.
“It is against this background that I call on Nigerians everywhere not to give up hope in the nation.”
“I congratulate the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, GFCR on being the unique Nigerian with the unique opportunity of turning Nigeria towards the country of our dreams.
“On behalf of my colleagues in the National Assembly, I pledge to assist him within the limits of constitutional provisions in this drive.
“My congratulations also go to all my colleagues in the National Assembly and Nigerians as a whole on this unique anniversary.”
In the same vein, Senator Barau (APC, Kano North),in his message to Nigerians on the country’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, appealed to the citizens to remain resolute in the promotion of national unity, support and prayers for the government to succeed in its efforts to turn around the country’s fortunes positively.
“Fellow Nigerians, happy Independence Day. As we celebrate the 63rd Independence Anniversary – the liberty from colonial rule, we must remember the enormous sacrifices made by our founding fathers; Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, among others, and recommit ourselves to the ideals they preached including the promotion of national unity, peace, justice, and tolerance.
” Yes, at 63, we have some challenges facing us as a country but they are surmountable. We will overcome them. Our country will come out stronger of its present challenges, by God’s grace.
” Let’s continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to actualise his policies and programmes as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda. He has good intentions for the country. We will get it right”
The presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has urged Nigerians to be prepared to pull the country back from uncertainty to a place of common safety.
In his message on Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day anniversary, the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar stated it was coming at a time when the country was at a crossroad in many aspects of national life
“As a nation, we have continued to struggle to manifest the dreams of our founding fathers in upholding the promises of shared prosperity and social justice.
“We have encountered great moments when the flag of our dear country flew tall on the global stage through the industry of our sportsmen and women, the prolific distinction of our academia, and the top-notch artistry of Nigerian talents in the global music scene.
“That success – the gallantry of our youth – is the primal element of what we celebrate today as a nation.
“Therefore, for me, the challenge before us all is in ensuring that the political leadership in the country that we call home should be worthy of our pride as a people and not of telling embarrassment.
“Our democracy has triumphed so far due to the fidelity of our conviction that a democracy when properly nurtured, should bring out the best in us and of us.
“As Nigerians, we are all not unfamiliar with the hardships in the economy, security, and other vital aspects of our society.
“While I enjoin us all to submit our strengths in faith to the Almighty God, we must be prepared to do our best to pull the country back from this point of uncertainty to a place of common safety.”
Former President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday conveyed his greetings to President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians on the occasion of the 63rd Independence anniversary of the nation. Buhari’s message is contained in a statement signed by his Spokesman, Garba Shehu, titled “Ex-President Buhari sends anniversary wishes to Tinubu, Nigerians.’
The statement read;
“On the occasion of the nation’s independence anniversary, I send my warm greetings to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the people of Nigeria.
“For 63 years, Nigeria continues to inspire the rest of the continent with the creativity and diversity of its citizens, and now, a long span of democratic rule.
I’m very optimistic that democracy as a system of government will continue to gain strength, year after year, in our nation.
“Happy Anniversary,”
On his part, Peter Obi urged Nigerians not to despair over the agonising situation in the country after 63 years of nationhood, adding that citizens should be hopeful that a new Nigeria was possible.
The presidential candidate in the 2023 election explained that though the situation in the country might be critical, it was “certainly not hopeless.”
In an Obi-Datti press statement on Saturday, the LP candidate noted that the real reason Nigerians had remained mired in poor governance and poverty after 63 years was because successive administrations had attempted to suppress the people through their policies, actions and inactions.
“Every nation invariably determines its fate and destiny; and gets a leadership it deserves. Nigeria cannot be an exception. If we subscribe to rogue leadership, then we must face the attending consequences.
“At 63 years, what type of questions are Nigerians asking of their leaders and what type of answers are we expecting? If at 63 years, we cannot conduct an election to allow the will of the people to prevail, what type of country do we expect?
“Present realities notwithstanding, Obi is hopeful that a new Nigeria is possible; but insists that the burden of responsibility is on Nigerians to take back their country from those engaged in state capture,”