Governors harp on national interest, others

Following Nigeria’s 59th independence anniversary celebration yesterday across the country, some state governors have stressed the need for Nigerians to put national interest above self, work towards creating better opportunities for younger citizens and offer prayers for a better nation.

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, expressed the hope that Nigeria would soon get out of the current socio-economic quagmire ravaging the country.

He made this observation in Uyo, expressing hope that the country would soon experience a new dawn of prosperity and better standards of living just as he urged Nigerians to be steadfast as the country struggles to overcome the underdevelopment that has been plaguing it in the last couple of years.

His words: “The country is blessed with abundant natural resources as well as experienced human capital and if such natural wealth is painstakingly harnessed, the nation will become the envy of the world.

“I have never seen a county so blessed as Nigeria in terms of human resources, we have a whole lot of Nigerians who have the capacity to change the world, so we need to harness and see what we can make out of the resources”, he said.

Also, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde enjoined Nigerians to put the nation’s interest above egocentric interests, saying: “There is the need to change our orientation to put the national interest first above all egocentric concepts that negate the country’s progress.

Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Rauf Olaniyan, stated this during the independence anniversary at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba Stadium in Ibadan.

“Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration used to be marked with a lot of funfairs, but this edition calls for a moment of sober reflection on the state and the nation generally.

“The present administration in Oyo State will continue to chart a course that will launch the state into a land of great investments with economic opportunities and agricultural development so that in no distant future it will be a state of pride to us.

Besides, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has canvassed a consensus among Nigerians, especially the political elites, to build a country where no one would suffer or treated unfairly on account of differences.

Meanwhile, Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha has urged Nigerians to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders in the country to help their resolve to deliver quality leadership and good governance for the benefit of all Nigerians.

He said that like every other great nation, Nigeria has endured the pangs of an emergent nation and urged the people to continue to keep faith with the task of nation-building and also make necessary sacrifices for better days to come.