• President Tinubu approves provisional monthly wage increment of N25, 000 to workers
• Promises thorough housecleaning of CBN, says he won’t succumb to fear, hatred
• Buhari, Akpabio, Jibrin, Govs congratulate citizens, seek stronger Nigeria
• APC-led administration’ll reposition nation for growth, devt, says Ganduje
• PDP urges national reawakening, accuses APC of inflicting pains on citizens
• Kingibe, Olurode caution political, ethnic, religious leaders against igniting hatred
As the nation celebrates its 63rd Independence anniversary today,
President Bola Tinubu has said that his administration is introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation.
President Tinubu said that for the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional Twenty-Five Thousand naira per month.
He therefore promised that a thorough housecleaning of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which he described as the den of malfeasance, requiring a special investigation, will soon present findings on past lapses and how to prevent similar reoccurrences.
These among others were contained in the President’s nationwide broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary.
President Tinubu commended the founding fathers and mothers of the country, stressing that without them, there would be no modern Nigeria.
He, however was silent on the proposed indefinite strike by the organized labour.
Tinubu said “as Nigerians, we are all endowed with the sacred rights and individual gifts that God has bestowed on us as a nation and as human beings. No one is greater or lesser than the other. The triumphs that Nigeria has achieved shall define us. The travails we have endured shall strengthen us. And no other nation or power on this earth shall keep us from our rightful place and destiny. This nation belongs to you, dear people. Love and cherish it as your very own .
“Nigeria is remarkable in its formation and essential character. We are a broad and dynamic blend of ethnic groups, religions, traditions and cultures. Yet, our bonds are intangible yet strong, invisible yet universal. We are joined by a common thirst for peace and progress, by the common dream of prosperity and harmony and by the unifying ideals of tolerance and justice.”
According to the President, forging a nation based on the fair application of the noble principles to a diverse population has been a task of significant blessing but also serial challenge, adding, “Some people have said an independent Nigeria should never have come into existence. Some have said that our country would be torn apart. They are forever mistaken. Here, our nation stands and here we shall remain.”
He said this year, the country passed a significant milestone in her journey to a better Nigeria by democratically electing a 7th consecutive civilian government, nothing that “Nigeria has proven that commitment to democracy and the rule of law remains our guiding light.”
He further said, “At my inauguration, I made important promises about how I would govern this great nation. Among those promises, were pledges to reshape and modernize our economy and to secure the lives, liberty and property of the people .
“I said that bold reforms were necessary to place our nation on the path of prosperity and growth. On that occasion, I announced the end of the fuel subsidy. I am attuned to the hardships that have come. I have a heart that feels and eyes that see. I wish to explain to you why we must endure this trying moment. Those who sought to perpetuate the fuel subsidy and broken foreign exchange policies are people who would build their family mansion in the middle of a swamp. I am different. I am not a man to erect our national home on a foundation of mud. To endure, our home must be constructed on safe and pleasant ground.
“Reform may be painful, but it is what greatness and the future require. We now carry the costs of reaching a future Nigeria where the abundance and fruits of the nation are fairly shared among all, not hoarded by a select and greedy few. A Nigeria where hunger, poverty and hardship are pushed into the shadows of an ever fading past.”
President Tinubu’s message came as governments at various levels and leaders across divides have urged citizens to continue upholding the virtues of perseverance, industry and abiding faith in the country .
These, the leaders maintained were essential for Nigeria to eventually fulfill the lofty dreams of its founding fathers and, indeed, rise to inspire the rest of the continent to greatness.
In a message to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari congratulated President Tinubu and Nigerians on the occasion of the 63rd independence anniversary of the nation.
In a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, yesterday, Buhari noted that 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.
He expressed optimism that democracy as a system of government will continue to gain strength, year after year in the nation.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, acknowledged the present challenges in the polity but noted that there were many landmarks in the nation’s 63 years to give a sense of optimism for a better tomorrow.
Senator Akpabio said that each country has its unique path with unique challenges it must pass through just as he took note of the particular struggles that Nigeria has passed through as a country in the last 63 years.
He affirmed that the fabrics of national cohesion are increasingly being braced by the unique Nigerian struggles. He then expressed confidence that Nigeria was on the correct pathway to rediscovery.
He pledged the determination of the National Assembly under his leadership to give the legislative framework to advance the nation to greater heights .
Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin also asked Nigerians to keep hope alive as the challenges facing the country were surmountable with the commitment of President Tinubu.
In his message to Nigerians, he appealed that they 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.
The Deputy President of the Senate reiterated the commitment of President Tinubu to the revival of the economy, tackling the security and other challenges facing the country.
“Fellow Nigerians, 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 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,” he said.
Jibrin said the parliament would continue to work for good governance and support the executive with the necessary legislation to actualise its programmes and policies.
National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, on his part, called on Nigerians to imbibe the virtue of peaceful coexistence with one another.
In a goodwill message, he assured of good governance under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, and enjoined the citizenry not to despair as measures already put in place by the APC-led administration would reposition the country to achieve growth and development.
“Today is indeed an auspicious day as it marks an epoch in the life of our dear nation. Sixty-three years ago, on this very day, our beloved country was granted independence to chart its destiny and build a new nation!
“Without a doubt, you will agree with me that the journey has not been without obstacles. It has been characterized by opportunities, prospects and challenges including a three-year civil war, which has brought out the resilient Nigerian spirit of perseverance, industry and abiding faith in the country.
“As a party, let me restate that the APC will remain true to its promises and pledges to the people. None of these promises, I repeat, will escape our attention and none will be treated lightly. The present administration, led by President Tinubu is ready to live up to the renewed Hope manifesto of the APC – to reposition Nigeria towards sustainable growth, development and economic prosperity.”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however, accused the APC of inflicting more pains on Nigerians. It noted that “the APC has reversed all the gains made by our founding fathers as well as the immeasurable achievements recorded by the PDP in its 16 years in government; a period widely acknowledged as Nigeria’s Golden Years.”
In a congratulatory message, the party said Nigerians deserved another congratulation “for surviving the eight years and four months dreadful administrations of the APC.”
National publicity secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, who signed the statement, noted that “Painfully, the APC administrations have practically returned our nation to a state of bondage; a nation ruled by circles of cabals where citizens are treated with utter disdain like conquered people; where government has no value for the lives and welfare of citizens; where dissenting voices are treated like enemies of State and where primitive dictatorship, violation of Human Rights and electoral malpractices are elevated as State policies.”
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, called on Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to support the administration of President Tinubu and all state governments in their efforts to birth a new, prosperous Nigeria.
The Governor 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.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, 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.
Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on his part, called on Nigerians to dream and work for a better Nigeria as the country celebrates its 63rd independence anniversary.
The governor stressed the need to look at the prospects of the country, the possibilities and opportunities rather than the challenges, saying it was time to put the country first.
Makinde, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, maintained that though the country’s journey has been tumultuous and challenging, Nigerians still have the opportunity to right the wrongs of the past years.
He added that all hands must be on deck in the task of rebuilding the country, noting that this remained the only way to make the country great.
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago also urged Nigerians to remain resolute and supportive in their individual and collective efforts towards nation-building to move the country forward.
Governor Bago, in a congratulatory message by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, said oneness of Nigeria remained more advantageous despite the challenges being faced.
Bago advocated the need for Nigerians to reflect more on what unites them as a nation than what divides them. He prayed to God to continue to keep Nigeria as one indivisible entity where peace, justice, equity and fairness will take centre stage so that the labour of the leaders in the past and present will not be in vain.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) on the platform of Labour Party (LP), Ireti Kingibe has saluted the courage of Nigerians and their ability to whether the storms of adversity as the country celebrates 63 years of independence.
According to her, it was remarkable that despite a regrettable civil war, which raged for over three years, a plethora of religious, communal and religious conflicts, successive generation of Nigerians have ensured that the dream of the nation’s Founding Fathers to bequeath to posterity one nation bound together by the ideals of unity, peace, tolerance and respect for law and due process, remained on course.
“Given our size and the plenitude of natural resources God has blessed us with, we must like China and India, two nations with populations far outstripping ours, turn our numbers to our advantage. God has positioned us to play a leading role on the African continent; we must rise to the occasion. But we cannot do so without rising to our full height, else we’ll be nothing but a giant on spindly legs,” Senator Kingibe stated.
She admonished ethnic and religious leaders on the need to tread carefully in their conduct and utterances, saying that leadership is a burden and a sacred mandate that must be discharged with the deepest sense of responsibility.
As the country celebrates 63 years of independence today, the religious leaders have called on Nigerian leaders to identify with the people they are leading, saying Nigerians are suffering.
Professor Lai Olurode, in his assessment of the nation at 63, urged leaders to change their attitude and behaviours and make them align with expectations of the common man.
He argued that majority of poor Nigerians want their leaders to demonstrate through their attitudes and behaviours that they are ready to make sacrifice in these hard times but what they are seeing is contrary to their expectations.
Calling on the political class and elite not to indulge in luxurious lifestyle, but be ready to make sacrifices, especially in this critical time of the country, Olurode said: “Nigerians are not seeing that and people are being asked to belt up, so it makes it difficult for them. Let critical actors demonstrate that they are ready to suffer for the development of the country and once that behaviour becomes explicit and observed by the majority of the people, that is leadership by example.
“Let us see attitudinal change from our leaders that they are ready to lead by example, then it won’t be difficult to convince Nigerians to make sacrifice.”
Olurode called on the federal government to return the country to the era of cottage industries and begin to reward era of productivity, not indolence and not the political class, adding that “when you reward and put a lot of resources in the hands of political class, enrich the pockets of political class, elite, what kind of signal are you sending to the majority of people?”
For the National Orientation Agency (NOA), anniversary presents Nigerians the opportunity to demonstrate renewed love for the fatherland.
In an Independence Day felicitation message, the Director General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari stressed the need for Nigerians to use the period to reflect on the national significance of October 1, the effort of our founding fathers to achieve self-determination and the inspiration of our national heroes in building the great nation we have today.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for approving a low-key celebration for this year’s Independence Anniversary at the national level, noting that it indicates sensitivity to the country’s current economic situation.
The NOA Director General also urged citizens to join in the celebration by mounting flags in their homes and offices, while businesses should promote the event through special programmes in which citizens are allowed to participate.
He said independence is about people’s liberty and freedom, hence citizens, on Independence Day, should proudly display their national symbols, including the National Flag and National Anthem, in their individual spaces.
