FG, Jigawa governor preach hope as Nigeria marks 61st Independence

Zailani, CDD urge unity, peaceful coexistence

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has urged Nigerians, irrespective of their political, religious, and tribal affiliations, to keep hope alive in the face of national challenges, while uniting for the peace and progress of the country.

Director-General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari, made the appeal, yesterday in Abuja, in an Independence Day message issued by the agency’s Assistant Director of Press, Paul Odenyi.

According to him, this period in the life of the country calls for the citizens to believe in the Nigeria project and imbibe attitudes that promote our peace and unity as a diverse people.

Abari called on Nigerians to support the governments at the federal, state, and local levels in prayers over the subsisting insecurity challenges in the land and embrace patriotism for a greater Nigeria.

Similarly, Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Jigawa State has said that despite being plagued by numerous political, religious, and economic crises, the unity pervading the country in the past 61 years is worth celebrating, as the future of the nation remains bright.

In his 61st Independence goodwill message signed by his Senior Special Assistant (Print Media), Ahmad Danyaro, the governor lauded the resoluteness and patriotism of Nigerians, which, he said, was the reason the country remained a single, united and sovereign nation.

ALSO, the Chairman of, Northern Speakers’ Forum, Yusuf Zailani of Kaduna State House of Assembly, has urged all parts of the country to be united as they were before gaining Independence in 1960.

He gave the charge in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ibrahim Danfulani, yesterday.

“Nigeria is a blessed land that is yet to reach its full potential as a result of perceived differences. Let us come together as one and build the country of our dreams as we did before gaining Independence from Britain on October 1, 1960,” he said.

AFRICA’S pro-democracy, research and policy think tank, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), has reiterated its admonition for a united front in tackling the myriad developmental challenges plaguing the country.

In a statement signed by the Director, Idayat Hassan, CDD noted that given the complexity of the challenges, a sustainable solution would require every citizen’s support and cooperation.

On the part of the government, the organisation said it has become expedient to henceforth match rhetoric with action to strengthen institutions saddled with delivering good governance and democratic progress.

These institutions, CDD noted, include Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nigerian Police Force (NPF), the armed forces, and the media, among others.