Governors across the country yesterday commended Nigerians for their resilience in the face of challenges, urging them to continue to keep hope alive, as the current effort to reposition the county would ultimately yield fruits.

Leading the charge, the governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah, called for national unity, which he said, remained a major factor in moving the nation forward.

In his goodwill message to the people of Enugu and Nigerians on the occasion of the nation’s 64th Independence anniversary yesterday, Mbah said: “On this milestone celebration, I congratulate Ndi Enugu – and, indeed, all Nigerians.

“I commend them for their resilient spirit and patriotic fervour, and enjoin them not to feel downcast by the challenges of today. Challenges dissipate in the face of undying optimism.

“As the old saying goes: Hope springs eternal! There is certainly light at the end of the tunnel, especially given the strong determination of our dear president to turn the situation around for good.”

Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti, told Nigerians never to give up hope for better despite several failed times in the past saying “what will matter most when our story will be told in time to come will not be how or where we stumbled, but how we were able to gather ourselves to try again, and again”.

Otti said that at 64, Nigeria has emerged as an important regional player and influential voice in the continent and that the world also within this period, came to appreciate the country as a land of resilient and generous souls who epitomize the highest standards of human spirit and ideals.

Urging Nigerians to look back with pride and congratulate themselves for the immense contributions the country and compatriots have made in keeping the ship of human civilisation in continuous sail, especially during moments of turbulence, he pointed out that while it is always fashionable to blame those in positions of privilege for the woes of the nation, ” we must also probe deeper to find instances of our complicity in the challenges that have plagued our nation in the last six decades and more.

Also, Cross River governor, Senator Bassey Out, called on Nigerians to have their eyes on the national goals rather than the momentary pains occasioned by the prevailing economic reforms introduced by the Federal Government.

Otu said this at the popular UJ Esuene Stadium Calabar, during the celebration of the 64th Independence Day Anniversary in Cross River. The governor, who defied the rain to stand in the crowd to receive salutes from the police, other paramilitary organisations and participating schools in a march past, admitted that the inconveniences in the nation were enormous saying that the expected gains of the ongoing reforms far outweighed the pains.

He said what was required in the nation was perseverance because there was light at the end of the tunnel, adding that the nation had come a long way and was yet a progressing, sovereign and indivisible political entity.

Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, called on Nigerians to unite against retrogressive forces threatening Nigeria. In his Independence Day speech in Asaba, he said: “It is my prayer that we use the occasion of this anniversary to engage in sober reflection and think of how we can contribute our quota to the growth and development of the country.

“We must stand resolute in contending with the forces of evil threatening to tear us apart through bigotry, inciting oratory, and insurgency.” He paid tribute to the nation’s founding fathers, who fought valiantly, often at the risk of their lives and those of their families, for the freedom of the nation and expressed optimism that the present challenges would soon pass away.

On his part, former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, stated that Nigeria has turned a corner away from the days of downward slide.
“The worst is over for the country.” He expressed optimism that Nigeria will return to growth again having weathered the storm.