As Nigeria celebrates its independence anniversary today, government officials and political pundits have expressed divergent views on how well the country has fared since it became free of the British colonial government on October 1, 1960. While some shared messages of hope, others gave critical reviews, while some called for increased patriotism.
In a goodwill message, the United States of America said it remained committed to helping Nigeria fight the Boko Haram insurgents and the Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA), while Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Mohammed Adamu assured of a hitch-free celebration across the country.
Opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) urged Nigerians to be patriotic, admonishing the citizenry to remain resilient in standing up for the unity and survival of the nation despite the daunting challenges.
The PDP, through its national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement issued on Monday encouraged Nigerians to keep hope alive in the face of the excesses, impunity and recklessness of retrogressive forces in high places seeking to undermine national cohesion.
“The PDP notes that the October 1 date remains an undying signpost of our freedom and unity as a nation. It reminds of the roots of our national cohesiveness; the sacrifices of our heroes and our determination to live harmoniously and succeed as one people, in all spheres of human endeavours; a national distinctiveness for which we are known and respected all over the world,” it said.
The party urged leaders at all levels to be committed and sacrificial in the discharge of their duties and desist from empty promises, rhetoric and propaganda, as Nigerians look up to them for solutions.
Nigerians should heal fault lines – APC
The All Progressives Congress (APC), the country’s ruling party, has admonished well-meaning Nigerians to engage only in acts that would heal the country’s fault lines by promoting ethnic and religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, which would engender Nigeria’s growth and development.
APC in a message of felicitation to Nigerians on the country’s 59th Independence Anniversary signed by Lanre Issa-Onilu, the party’s National Publicity Secretary noted that as a nation, Nigerians are better together than they are apart.
The APC Spokesman stated that, “in spite of the inherited and our current challenges, President Muhammadu Buhari administration has made commendable strides on so many fronts, most significantly the fight against graft, diversifying and revamping the economy, curbing insurgency and emerging crimes, promoting positive values in our national life, strengthening our democratic institutions and processes and achieving a respectable international standing.
“As Africa’s most populous nation, we can do much better, given our natural resources and potential. The President Buhari administration is committed to building on and affirming our Giant of Africa status.”
There is still hope – Atiku
Presidential flag bearer of the PDP and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, lamented that Nigeria is yet to meet the expectations of the citizens, alleging the lack no freedom of the press and stating that the judiciary is also under the attack of the current government.
He added in the message that since October 1960, when the nation gained independence never has the nation experienced arrest and intimidation of those who speak out on the state of the nation like in the current Government.
“On October 1, 1960, our nation’s Founding Fathers could never have fathomed that 59 years after birthing the largest black nation on earth, we would be facing a situation where we do not have a free press, our judiciary being under attack, and our youths and activists, who should ordinarily be the future of Nigeria, would be facing the very real threat of arrest and intimidation should they speak out about the state of the nation,” he said.
He, however, noted that it is not all gloom and doom, stressing that “there is still hope. Much hope.”
Atiku called for more attention to be paid to girl-child education, adding that it is an age-long truism that women are the teachers of a nation.
He averred that the greatness of Nigeria has much to do with how well it educates the children, especially the girl-child, even as he commended the Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State for leading the way by massively investing in public education.
He also cited the example of Chief Allen Onyeama and his public spiritedness which saw him offer relief to Nigerian citizens who were victims of the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Buhari has turned Nigeria into a joke, nothing to celebrate – CUPP
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has said there is nothing to celebrate as Nigeria turns 59, insisting President Muhammadu has turned the country into a very big joke.
The CUPP noted that apart from misery, division, incompetence, banditry, tribalism and hopelessness that has taken centre stage, there is no single practical development the nation has witnessed since the administration mounted the saddle of leadership.
The position of CUPP was contained in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, on Monday in Abuja.
“The Buhari administration that rode into power in 2015 on the promise of bringing change to the country has turned Nigeria into a huge joke among the comity of nations.
“For the nation’s 59th independence anniversary, there is indeed absolutely nothing to celebrate about,” it insisted.
It added that the Buhari’s administration has so far displayed incompetence in administering this nation and that it instead rubbished all the efforts made by the nation’s founding fathers.
CUPP further posited that the current administration has inflicted fear on the Judiciary by harassing and arresting judges at will, therefore desecrating the temple of justice.
Nigeria’s challenges stepping stone to greatness – Lawan
Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Monday, said the myriad of challenges faced by the country can only move it to greatness.
Lawan in a goodwill message he signed, noted that the nation has witnessed development in so many areas and instead of Nigerians lamenting the confronting problems, they should be counting blessings to enable the country move forward.
“As Nigeria comes of age, with its people increasingly asserting themselves in every sphere of life across the globe, there is indeed much to be proud of in being a Nigerian. Let us count our blessings and be driven forward by them.
He admonished Nigerians to continue to have faith that the country will be great and remain the indissoluble entity envisioned by the founding fathers.
We must remain steadfast, united and prayerful – Gbajabiamila
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has urged Nigerians to remain united as the country marks her 59th Independence Day anniversary.
“As we mark our country’s 59th Independence Anniversary, we must remain steadfast, united and prayerful for our country to remain one and overcome her challenges.
“In the face of some of the challenges confronting us as a country, we have no choice but to work hard to overcome them. As leaders, we are already doing that. But we need the support of the citizens to achieve that,” Gbajabiamila said.
SOLOMON AYADO, INNOCENT ODOH, JAMES KWEN, Abuja, & SEGUN ADAMS, Lagos
