Nigeria@64: Afenifere congratulates Nigerians

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Monday, lauded the people’s enduring spirit just as it expressed optimism that things should take a better shape soon.

This was contained in the 64th independence anniversary message by the Leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti, as released by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi.

The Afenifere leader said although the country is going through a challenging moment, there is a need to acknowledge the modest progress being made since we attained independence.

Stated in this respect were the facts that Nigeria remains one country in spite of the civil war that was fought, as well as some other internal crises that have taken place in the last 64 years.

“This point is worthy of note when one remembers that some countries with which Nigeria took off around the same time have split into two or three.”

The statement further appreciated the fact that the country has been operating under an unbroken civil rule since 1999. Since this is the longest period that democratic practice has not been interrupted, it is worth acknowledging with a view to ensuring that it is sustained.

“In this wise, Afenifere is calling on all players in the political field at all levels to ensure that they act in ways that make Nigerians feel a sense of belonging in democracy by implementing policies that make the people count.”

On the planned rally by some Nigerians to express their feelings on the socio-economic situation in the country through activities on October 1, the mainstream Yoruba organisation said that it is the right of the people to do so. It, however, pleaded that such actions should be conducted in a peaceful manner without looting, causing any damage to property, or harming anybody.

The statement called on the federal government under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to do more in the areas of security, agriculture, education, and the economy, and to increase its efforts to ensure that available infrastructure functions while also working on providing more.

“State governments are also urged to do more in infrastructure and service delivery, particularly in those areas where there is no constitutional inhibition for them. The local governments too should be alive to their responsibilities now that they have fiscal autonomy so that people’s welfare can improve tremendously.”