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Boat Carrying 300 Passengers Capsizes In Niger, 150 Missing

By
Ayodele Oni
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Boat Mishap

By Ayodele Oni

Tragedy struck in Niger State as, at least, 150 passengers are, reportedly, missing following a boat accident in Mokwa Local Government Area of the State.

Report reveal that the tragic incident, involved a boat, that was transporting over 300 passengers predominantly women and children, which capsized during a journey to celebrate Maulid on Tuesday.

The passengers were coming from Mundi Community to Gbajibo town for the Maulid festival when the tragic incident occurred.

The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the event in a statement issued on Wednesday, stating that rescue operations are currently in progress to find additional survivors.

Baba-Arah indicated that NSEMA received notification of the boat accident that took place on the evening of October 1, 2024, at approximately 8:30 pm, along the River Niger, upstream of the Jebba Dam, near Gbajibo Community in Mokwa LGA.

According to him, “The boat, which was transporting about 300 passengers, mainly women and children from Mundi Community, was en route to Gbajibo for the Maulid celebration.

“NSEMA is coordinating search and rescue operations in partnership with the State Ministry of Transport, Mokwa Local Government Emergency Committee, local divers, and other community volunteers.

“Thanks to the swift response of the local volunteers, over 150 persons have been rescued alive so far.”

Baba-Arah, however, assured that the search and rescue operation was ongoing, with further updates to be provided to the public as more survivors are located.

Cabinet Reshuffle: Consider El-Rufai, Nnaji As Ministers, Group Tells Tinubu

By
James Orji
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Amidst the plan by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reshuffle his cabinet the president has been urged to consider some prominent individuals for ministerial appointments.

The clarion call was made by the Mandate Protection Vanguard, MPV, on Tuesday in a statement singed by the group’s coordinator, Comrade Gbenga Soloki.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Publicity and Strategy to the President recently hinted that Tinubu was planning to rejig his cabinet. The presidential aide said this was necessary to ensure performance and enhance the success of the ministration.

Not a few Nigerians have been calling on the president to weed out non-performing ministers in his cabinet so that his electoral promises to Nigerians could be achieved.

According to the MPV, those that should be considered for ministerial appointments include former governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state, Bart Nnanji, a former Minister of Power,  Senator Olorunimbe Mamora, a former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Senator Shehu Sani amongst others.

If appointed, the group said these individuals are capable of making huge performance in the cabinet, it cited their track records in public offices where they had earlier served, adding that President Tinubu should priotise the appointment of more technocrats in his new cabinet rather than populating it with just politicians.

The statement read in part: “While no one is begrudging Mr President for appointing politicians and close allies as ministers and ministers of state, there are several other qualified Nigerians who have excelled in both private and public services, while some have served at the state level, others have been privileged to operate at the federal level.

“The present economic challenges in the country deserve the services of credible and economically savvy ministers, who can deliver on their core areas of competence to make the programmes and projects of the administration popular and to achieve far-reaching results that will ultimately rescue the country out of the present quagmire.

“Firstly is, Mallam Nasir el Rufai, who the group described as a cerebral politician from the northern part of the country, saying that though trained as a quantity surveyor, he obtained a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University.

“He was Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, minister of Federal Capital Territory and the immediate past Governor of Kaduna state.

“Another person is Senator Shehu Sani, who is one of the few personalities from the northern part of the country that joined forces with pro-democracy activists to fight for the restoration of democratic rule in the country,” the group said.

“Ye another personality is the one-time minister of power in Nigeria, Prof Bart Nnaji. No doubt, Bart Nnaji is a seasoned administrator, who is also experienced in the power generation sector. He is a professor of Electrical Engineering, who was the minister of power, special adviser on power to the president and the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC),” MPV said.

2027: El- Rufai Hints Of Presidential Ambition

By
James Orji
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Mallam Nair El-Rufai
Nasir El-Rufai

Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state has hinted of his plan to return to politics in 2027.

The immediate past governor of the state made the revelation on Tuesday while speaking  on the Hausa programme on Freedom Radio Kaduna .

“I intend to return to politics in 2027 after completing my studies. There is no retirement in politics. By the will of Allah, we will return and continue serving the people,” he said.

The revelation comes following suggestions that the former governor was planning to contest the highest office in the country, the president.

The former governor left office on May 29, 2023 after spending eight maximum years as the chief executive of the state.

Since his departure from office more than a year ago, El-Rufai, analysts insist has been in the political wilderness, particularly after his ambition to be a minister was thwarted by perceived political opponents.

The former governor, has also been at loggerheads with his successor, Uba Sani, the man he assisted to be governor, but has now dumped him over irreconcilable difference.

To make matter worse for El-Rufai, he’s been probed by the Governor Sani administration for an alleged financial impropriety while he was in office.

According to those familiar with the issue, the former governor had earlier been penciled down as the Chief of Staff, CoS, to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu among other juicy positions in his cabinet.

“But everything just went wrong for him at the last minute,” a source said adding that the former governor is coming back “with a revenge in 2027.”

Those who spoke on the ambition of the former helmsman to contest for president, disclosed that he has  recently been making  necessary consultations to ensure that this is actualised

Recall that the former governor had recently met with former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwakwanso even though nothing was made public on why he met the political leaders.

The magazine also reported that El-Rurai is seriously angry with the administration of President Tinubu for dumping him after he supported the former for the president last year.

The former governor was among those that staunchly supported President Tinubu during the 2023 Presidential election, and for his support, Tinubu was said to have promised to make him a member of his cabinet, by giving him a lucrative ministerial appointment.

But this was not to be, as the former governor was dumped at the eleventh hour after he failed to scale the Nigerian Senate screening, sources told the magazine.

The former governor, those close to him said, believed that he was betrayed by the president who refused to stand up for him when it really mattered.

“The president could have prevailed on the Senate to clear the former governor if he wanted to. The fact that he did not pull his weight behind him is an indication that he actually didn’t want him to be a minister. The president action, is the height of betrayal to someone who risked everything for him when other northern politicians were not ready to stick out their necks for him,” a source close to the former governor said on Wednesday.

Independence: President Tinubu Calls For Renewed Commitment For Better Nigeria

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Tinubu Democracy Day Speech

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerians to forget the past and forge ahead so that Nigeria can attain greatness.

In a nationwide broadcast to mark the 64th independence anniversary of Nigeria, the president stated that one of the roads to progress is not to allow mistakes of the past to reflect in future endeavours.

“Dear compatriots, our independence anniversary gives us another chance to reflect on how far we have gone in our journey to nation-building and to renew our commitment to building a better nation that will serve present and future generations of Nigerians.

“While we celebrate the progress we have made as a people in the last sixty-four years, we must also recognise some of our missed opportunities and mistakes of the past.

“If we are to become one of the greatest nations on earth, as God has destined us to be, our mistakes must not be allowed to follow us into the future.

“My administration took over the leadership of our country 16 months ago at a critical juncture. The economy faced many headwinds, and our physical security was highly impaired.

“We found ourselves at a dizzying crossroads, where we must choose between two paths: reform for progress and prosperity or carry on business-as-usual and collapse. We decided to reform our political economy and defence architecture.

“Fellow Nigerians, better days are ahead of us. The challenges of the moment must always make us believe in ourselves. We are Nigerians—resilient and tenacious. We always prevail and rise above our circumstances.

“I urge you to believe in our nation’s promise. The road ahead may be challenging, but we will forge a path toward a brighter future with your support.

“Together, we will cultivate a Nigeria that reflects the aspirations of all its citizens, a nation that resonates with pride, dignity, and shared success.

“As agents of change, we can shape our destiny and build a brighter future by ourselves, for ourselves and for future generations.

“Please join our administration in this journey towards a brighter future. Let us work together to build a greater Nigeria where every citizen can access opportunities and every child can grow up with hope and promise.”

28 Years Of Creation: Gov Oyebanji Says Ekiti Is Building Robust Profile

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji - Ekiti State Governor

By Ayodele Oni

 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed satisfaction with strides made by the State since it was created as a political entity exactly 28 years ago.

 

The Governor noted that the creation of the State on 1st October, 1996 has accelerated the development of Ekiti land which has culminated into the state becoming a trail blazer in every aspect of human development under his watch as the chief executive in the last two years.

 

Addressing the people of the State in a broadcast to mark the 28th anniversary of the creation of Ekiti State and the 64th anniversary of the nation’s Independence, Governor Oyebanji also hailed President Bola Tinubu for his unflinching support for Ekiti development since coming to power on 29th May, 2023.

 

Governor Oyebanji said Ekiti is “grateful for President Tinubu’s numerous interventions and approval of critical federal infrastructure in the State and his support especially in tackling security challenges that confronted us early in the year.”

 

He noted that the presidential intervention has provided Ekiti with the right atmosphere for its growth as a State.

 

He eulogized the former Military Administrators and former elected Governors, who had held office before him for their contribution to the growth and development of the State on which his administration is presently building.

 

The Governor paid respect to the Founding Fathers especially Royal Fathers, who championed the struggles for the creation of Ekiti State through the Committee for the creation of Ekiti State under the chairmanship of Chief Deji Fasuan.

 

He also appreciated Aare Afe Babalola for his contribution towards the actualization of the Ekiti Project.

 

Making reference to empirical evidence of social and economic growth being witnessed in the Land of Honour, Governor Oyebanji stated that Ekiti is building a robust profile on all indexes of development attested to by recent figures released by Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) which was realized through the robust implementation of his administration’s six-pillar development agenda.

 

“There is no doubt the creation of Ekiti State has accelerated the development of Ekitiland. Today, we are more than happy to affirm that Ekiti is now a trailblazer in every aspect of human development index, with those who started before us, now struggling to catch up with us in critical development indices. 

 

“For instance, in the recent data on education by the National Bureau of Statistics, Ekiti was adjudged the second most literate State after Lagos in the South West and one of the most literate in Nigeria. Similarly, the same Bureau also reported that Ekiti has the least out-of-school children in the South West.

 

“We are very proud to say Ekiti is a front-liner in education, life expectancy, access to quality healthcare services, physical infrastructure development, access to water, peaceful co-existence, ease-of-doing business, gender equality, social inclusion among others.

 

“Gradually and assuredly, Ekiti is building a formidable profile of a progressive and development-oriented State that is poised for prosperity for all.”

 

The Governor acknowledged some challenges being faced in the governance of the State, such as macroeconomic, security and infrastructural challenges and low industrial presence,

 

“To respond to this, we came up with the Six Pillars of Administration with the primary objective of ensuring a shared prosperity for all. It is gratifying to note that our efforts are already yielding fruits across all sectors. We are not only meeting targets, we have surpassed targets in many instances.

 

“We believe in inclusive growth and sustainable development without leaving anyone behind. As it can be seen in our efforts so far, our Government is very focused and strategic in our development drive.

 

“We want to ensure every policy and programme of Government is connected to the chains of Ekiti Development Master Plan and the Six Pillars of Administration to deliver the shared prosperity promise.

 

“We are also deliberate  in our plan that every Government spending must lead to job creation, inclusive growth and sustainable development.

 

“In the last two years since we came on board, we are glad to report that we have made some giant strides in different aspects of administration in accordance with our social contract with Ekiti people. 

 

“Law and order is the primary responsibility of every government, Accordingly, we have made security of life and property our topmost priority.

 

“As a State, we have, like many other parts of the country, had to contend with occasional opportunistic attacks of ‘hit-and-run” kidnappers, I am glad that we have been able to bring  them to book while we continue to do our best to prevent future recurrence.

 

“Similarly, we have been able to end the frightful incidence of street hoodlums who troubled the city of Ado-Ekiti in recent months. We have arrested them and they are currently facing trial.

 

“I therefore want to assure you that we will continue to do our best to protect you while we also appeal to you to help the Government by providing helpful information that can assist the security agencies to prevent and fight crimes in our dear State.”

El-Rufai: “I Will Swear By  Quran, I Did Not Steal As Governor”

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Malam Nasir El-Rufai
Malam Nasir El-Rufai

By Akinwale Kasali

As corruption and embezzlement allegations continue to rock the administration of Nasir El Rufai, the former Governor of Kaduna State,  has vowed to swear with the Holy Qur’an that he didn’t steal money while in office. He challenged his predecessors to do the same.

The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,  FCT, made this assertion Tuesday during a programme on Freedom Radio Kaduna.

El Rufai said he was in politics to serve the people and not to steal, adding that he was financially strong before he became Governor.

“I did not join politics to steal money or enrich myself. I was satisfied with what I had before becoming governor. I am ready to swear with the Qur’an to prove my innocence if other former Governors and current leaders would do the same.”

“I have always prayed for guidance in all I do, and I strive not to betray the trust of the people. Whenever the former governors of Kaduna State and other leaders are ready to swear with the Qur’an that they never misappropriated public funds, I will join them. I have no fear because I know I never took money that belonged to the people.”

“My administration has been accused without any clear evidence of where the money went missing or who took it. My allies are being targeted and invited by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as part of a smear campaign against me.

“I have left everything to Allah’s judgment. I have prayed and will remain silent on the issue. I have instructed my lawyers to take legal action against those tarnishing my name, but for now, I’m focused on my activities like reading and writing.

“I will continue to serve the people. You don’t need to hold a position in government to serve. We are still working with like-minded individuals who genuinely want to serve the people, not those seeking to enrich themselves.

“I intend to return to politics in 2027 after completing my studies. There is no retirement in politics. By the will of Allah, we will return and continue serving the people .

“I was quiet to see how things would turn out, but for me, I always ask Allah to help me in whatever I do in life because, as a human being, I always try not to do anything wrong or betray people’s trust.

“I always say that whenever the former governors of Kaduna State and other leaders decide to take an oath swearing with the Quran that they never took people’s money, I’m also ready to swear. This is because I know that I didn’t go into public service to steal or take people’s money. I joined politics only to serve the people of Kaduna State; I didn’t come to look for money, because I give glory to Allah that I’m content with what I had even before becoming governor. Yet, we were accused of misappropriation of funds during our tenure without being given a specific area where the money went missing or who took it.

“I already prayed two Raka’at on Friday night, leaving everything to Allah seeking His judgment. This is why I’m not saying much about the issue,” he said.

El Rufai has been criticized by the incumbent Governor of the State, Uba Sani, who accused his administration of mismanagement, embezzlement, unserviced Loans, inheriting an empty treasury etc.

Former Senator Shehu Sani also called for the probe of El Rufai’s administration,  labeling it a corrupt government.

Rivers: Police Command Denies Sealing RSEIEC Office, Explains Presence

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Nigerian Police

By Ayodele Oni

  • FCT Police Denies Attacking Protesters

Police Commands in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) explained their roles in two different incidents which took place within the mandate areas.

In Rivers, the Police Command on Tuesday denied sealing off the office of State Independent Electoral Commission, (RSIEC) in Port Harcourt.

Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe Koko, clarified that the Police officers seen at the RSIEC office were posted to the place on the directive of Commissioner of Police to protect the facility against any attack during the ongoing nation wide protest in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday 1st October.

Koko also revealed that there is no iota of truth in the allegation that the Police assaulted and beat up some protesters.

Recall that RSIEC had fixed 5th October,2024 to conduct Local Government Area Elections.

At the FCT, the  Police Command denied attacking the October 1 protesters in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT police command, SP Josephine Adeh on Tuesday in Abuja.

Adeh said the operatives only took proactive measures to prevent looting, adding that  it was necessary to address the allegation, following reports making the rounds that policemen attacked protesters at Utako Market in Abuja earlier Tuesday during the protest.

She urged the populace to disregard such misleading and mischievous information, stressing that the command was committed to ensuring the safety of the populace in the exercise of their civil rights.

Earlier reports said police officers on Tuesday fired teargas at protesters during the #FearlessInOctober protest over bad governance in Abuja.

“The command wishes to categorically debunk the narrative, tagging it completely false and misleading.

“Acting on intelligence, the operatives only took measures to forestall miscreants who were taking advantage of the protest to loot shops in the market and as a result, extended focus to them.

“As a responsible agency, we could not stand by and allow traders to be robbed of their hard-earned money and belongings without intervening.”

Nigeria@64: Primate Ayodele Calls  For Sober Reflection

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele
Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele

By Akinwale Kasali

As the nation marks its 64th Independence Day Celebration, vocal Clergyman, Primate Elijah Ayodele,  Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has stated that Nigeria has no reason to celebrate its 64th independence because the country has not recorded any significant achievements worthy of being celebration.

The alleged controversial Clergyman in his Independence message to Nigerians stated that he has not seen anything special in Nigeria’s 64th independence celebration because the country is still far behind in terms of development, human capital, economy  and leadership.

Ayodele described Nigeria’s democracy as a failure, explaining that independence is more like bondage for the people and the country is gradually moving into a hopeless state because of the kind of people that have emerged as the country’s leaders.

‘’Sincerely, I have not seen anything special in Nigeria @ 64 because there is no serious improvement in terms of what the government needs to do. In terms of human capital, everything is on standstill, in terms of judiciary, it’s something else. We are still seeing things that we can’t be proud of despite being 64 years old. Our democracy has been destroyed, what we have is democracy of failure, starvation, bondage, difficulty. Nigerians have voted for leaders with no conscience. We have been praying but it doesn’t look like this country will get better.’’

While speaking on the current administration, Primate Ayodele said the Government is confused and has no fear of God. He also called on the Government to embark on seven things to restore hope to the people.

‘’The present Government is confused; they don’t have the fear of God and don’t understand why they are ruling. Nigeria @ 64 is nothing to celebrate. The government should do seven things that include stable electricity, educational reforms, Restructuring, Judiciary reforms, economic reforms, security and total overhauling of our petroleum ministry to bring back hope.’’

Speaking further, Primate Ayodele noted that a serious government leading a country that is 64 years old will not allow mediocrity and would let go of any unserious minister or appointee. He frowned at the EFCC chairman for failing to arrest the former governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello but quick to go after ordinary Nigerians that have committed lesser offences compared to Bello’s.

‘’A serious government leading a nation that is 64 years old would sack people in the oil sector including NNPC GMD, Mele Kyari, Minister of Petroleum and others in the sector. We have ministries that are not performing, the President should remove their leaders.’’

‘’For months, EFCC has been trailing Yahaya Bello all to no avail but if it is an ordinary Nigerian, he or she would have been arrested and paraded. It appears the EFCC chairman doesn’t know his job too, the president should find something to do if not, we will keep encouraging corruption.’’

In the same vein, Primate Ayodele blasted the national assembly for not working towards achieving success in the country.

Generally, he noted that leaders of the country have to reflect on what has happened and what should be done instead of celebrating independence at 64.

‘’The national assembly has also failed, they are just going there to relax, President Tinubu should improve and enhance workers welfare. Our sectors are not doing well including communications, we don’t have anything to celebrate at 64, it’s a period to evaluate what we have done so far. It’s a time of sober reflection. There is hunger in the land, a bag of rice isn’t affordable anymore. At 64, a fertile land has failed in agriculture. We have voted for the wrong choice and of course, the result of that will be wrong. It’s 64 years of sadness, without achievement, and failure.’’

He furthermore expressed disappointment in the religious sector especially Christian leaders who are fond of hiding the true situations of things with ‘all is well’. The prophet noted that all pastors have been compromised and what they do now is fashion.

‘’The religious sector too has failed, all the pastors have failed. We have been compromised and all we know how to say is ‘All is well’ but it is not. We only have fashion pastors, they don’t talk when they are supposed to talk apart from ‘All is well.’’

At Independence: Fubara Calls For Defeat  Of Judicial Terrorism, Abuse Of Power

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Siminalayi Fubara
Governor Siminalayi Fubara

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

  • Says he cannot be intimidated ● Pledges unalloyed loyalty to Tinubu

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on his colleagues from the Northern region to redouble their efforts towards halting the scourge of insecurity currently ravaging the area.

This is even as he called for concerted efforts by the Governors of the oil producing States to fight the spate of pipeline vandalism and oil theft .

Governor Fubara who spoke in Port-Harcourt  Tuesday on the occasion of Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary, thumped up President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his bold policies towards revamping the moribund economy of the country.

In a statement issued by his Media Aide Nelson Chukwudi, Governor Fubara, however, warned his traducers that he will not  give in to intimidation and blackmailing antics

This is just as he assured that his administration will always make the security of lives and properties the cornerstone, while also promoting equal socio-economic opportunities for all irrespective of political, religious, and ethnic persuasions.

“We will continue to support and work with the Federal Government and Security Agencies to advance the security and wellbeing of all citizens, protect national economic assets and guarantee the security and smooth operations of Local, National and Multinational companies and investment in our State.

“We also assure the  Federal Government and Mr President of unalloyed loyalty and support from the Government and good people of Rivers state and reaffirm our commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria as one indivisible nation”, the Governor stated

The Rivers State Governor, particularly, lauded President Tinubu’s economic reforms policies, insisting that they are bold and potentially impactful in the vision of correcting the structural defects of the past.

He, therefore, appealed to Nigerians to come together, and keep faith with  the  dreams and missions of the founding fathers.

He expressed the optimism that with unity of purpose, Nigeria will overcome the present challenges facing it as a nation.

“We are also known for our rich cultural diversity – a vibrant nation where different religions, languages and traditions co-exist peacefully.

“It is, therefore, important for Nigerians to keep faith with the vision of the founding leaders and do so by reaffirming their fidelity to one indivisible nation under God and pledge themselves to each other in freedom ,peace and justice.

“Let us also  commit ourselves to work hand in hand with the Federal Government to tackle the economic ,social and political challenges including judicial terrorism nepotism,corruption ,and abuse of power that have diminished our democracy, stifled our economic growth and caused untold hardship to our people.

“With an unyielding commitment to democracy, rule of law, and good governance, and working together for the common interest, we can overcome all our challenges and prevail over the enemies of progress”, Fubara noted .

The Rivers State Governor stated that despite distractions, his administration will not waver in its determination to deliver on its mandate.

He expressed confidence in God’s abilities to see his administration through the present travails and propel it into promoting, protecting and defending the political, social and economic interests of Rivers state at all cost.

“I further assure you that we will never compromise on our commitments to delivering the dividends of democracy and good governance to the citizens of Rivers state,” he stated.

Nigeria Is Winning, Uzodimma Insists On Independence Day

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma at Nigeria 64 Independence Celebration

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Tuesday took a holistic view of Nigeria after 64 years of attaining political independence and came to the conclusion that the Country is winning.

The Governor who spoke at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square Owerri during the celebration of Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary, insisted that though the journey has come with certain challenges, Nigerians cannot deny the positive sides since October 1,1960 that the colonial masters handed over the reins of power to the indigenes.

He noted that both in the field of sports, education, healthcare, global impact, military prowess, skill acquisition, arts, science and technology among others, Nigeria has recorded commendable gains.

Governor Uzodimma commended the spirit of resilience in Nigerians that has brought the country thus far and advised the citizens not to despair in their belief in an envisaged great Nation called Nigeria by the founding fathers.

He noted that Nigeria enjoys the respect of other countries in the world because she is making appreciable and steady progress in the face difficulties.

The Independence Day Anniversary was celebrated with pomp and circumstance as the military, police, paramilitary agencies, schools and other groups showed outstanding performance in match past with the Governor taking the salute.

Governor Uzodimma had earlier inspected the guard of honour before retiring to take the salute during the match past.

He also cut the Independence Day Anniversary cake and performed the symbolic release of the pigeons that signals peace in the country.

Governor Uzodimma’s speech read in full:

“Sixty-four years ago, on 1st October 1960, the green-white-green flag was raised for the first time, marking the birth of our great nation, Nigeria. Today, as we celebrate another anniversary of this milestone, I feel very proud of our progress as an independent nation.

“Despite our numerous challenges, our country enjoys the respect of other members of the community of nations. I am equally proud of the individual achievements which our citizens have continued to record in the global space in various fields of endeavour, including academia, business, sports, the arts, science, and technology.

“The icing on the cake came recently with the brilliant outing of world-class Nigerian athletes at the recent Paralympic Games in Paris. I also feel very proud of the industrious and promising young Imo boys and girls who have acquired cutting-edge digital skills from our Skill Up Imo Project and are today waxing strong in the new technology-driven global employment market.

“That is the spirit of Nigerians innovative, resilient, and ever-tenacious. That spirit is part of what we are celebrating today. Indeed, Nigeria is winning, and we have so much to celebrate.

“So, I welcome you all to this year’s Independence anniversary celebrations with profound gratitude to God. His benevolence has sustained us through six decades of self-governance, allowing us to take our destiny into our own hands. While our journey has faced challenges, we owe immense gratitude to God for the progress we have made. Thus, I congratulate all Nigerians, especially the resilient people of Imo State, on this joyous occasion.

“The story of our nation, like that of many others who fought for independence, is one of unwavering determination. As a country that endured a civil war in its early years, the urgency of nation-building is even more pronounced. Yes, we have faced obstacles that tested our unity; yes, we have not built that perfect nation that we all hoped for at independence, but we have made remarkable progress, which gives us more than enough reason to celebrate. As Johnson Oatman wrote in one of my favourite hymns, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, it will surprise you what the Lord has done”.

So let us attempt to count our blessings:

“1.       Education: From just two universities at Independence, we can now boast of over 270 universities and countless other tertiary institutions that are nurturing the bright minds that will shape our future.

“2.       Healthcare: Our citizens now live longer and enjoy better health, thanks to expanded access to healthcare and improved health facilities.

“3. Sports: We have conquered the world stage and raised our flag with pride on many occasions.

“4. Global Impact: Our nationals continue to make significant contributions to global advancements in science, technology, innovation, and creativity. Nigerian scholars have continued to shine across the globe, embodying excellence and innovation.

“5. Military Prowess: Our armed forces not only secure our borders but also contribute to global peacekeeping efforts, earning international respect and admiration.

“I can go and on, but let me stop at this point.

“Here in Imo State, we have recorded transformative progress in infrastructure, education, and economic development. Our state institutions are training graduates who are equipped and ready to compete on the global stage. Our infrastructure, especially the roads, is improving steadily, thereby enabling us to connect more communities and stimulate commerce in and around the state. These achievements reflect the larger Nigerian success story.

“My beloved Ndimo, I recount these accomplishments not to ignore our challenges but to remind us of the glorious country we are building. While recent years have been economically challenging, when we consider the full picture, we can confidently say: that Nigeria is winning.

“Winning, in this sense, does not mean the race is over. We still face hurdles in security, economic stability, and national unity. But be assured that my administration will continue working harmoniously with the federal government to address these issues. We are implementing several well-thought-out policies aimed at boosting our economy, improving our security, and fostering unity among all Nigerians.

“On this historic day, I would like to renew my commitment to transparent and accountable governance to you, my fellow indigenes and residents. Our 3R administration will continue to give priority to the development of infrastructure development, economic growth, and social welfare. But this can only be possible with everyone’s support and cooperation. We must give peace a chance to enable us to deepen our democracy and accelerate our development.

“As we reflect on this Independence Day, I hereby repeat my invitation to all Imo people and Nigerians to join hands and contribute to making Nigeria the country of our dreams. I am talking of that country which our forebears from different corners of the country with different tongues had in mind when they fought for our freedom and independence. It is not enough to identify problems; we must actively participate in seeking solutions. We must, therefore, emulate the patriotism of our founding fathers, who made a lot of sacrifices for our freedom.

“Remember, this is our home. While some may be tempted to seek opportunities elsewhere, there is no place like Nigeria. As an immigrant, you are tolerated and restricted, but at home, you are beloved, entitled, and free. Here, we have the freedom to shape our destiny, to innovate, and to lead. Our diversity is our strength and our resilience, our sustenance.

“To the youth of Nigeria, you are our greatest asset. Your energy, creativity, and determination are the fuel that will drive our nation forward. I urge you, therefore, to take the opportunities before you, challenge the status quo, and take charge of building the Nigeria of our dreams.

“As we step into our 64th year of independence, let us do so with renewed hope and unwavering faith in our nation. Nigeria is winning, and with each passing day, with every individual effort, we inch closer to greatness.

“On this glorious occasion, I congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our past leaders, and all Nigerians whose belief in our country has kept us united. Let us keep the flag flying high.

“Finally, like all nations of the world,  Nigeria is a work in progress, and despite the worries and challenges of today, I remain optimistic that better days will come, and like we say when we pray, “our future will be better than our past”.

“God bless Imo State!

God bless Nigeria!

God bless Nigerians!

“Thank you, and happy Independence anniversary.”

Thereafter, Governor Uzodimma treated the guests to a sumptuous Independence Day Anniversary lunch at the Banquet hall of the Government House Owerri.

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