Independence Day: Nigerians urge unity, collective efforts against insecurity

ABUJA - Nigerians have expressed the need for continuous unity as the nation marks its 54th Independence Anniversary. A cross section of the citizens expressed the hope that the country would overcome the challenges and eventually wax stronger. Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River, said that Nigeria was capable of overcoming its challenges, including that of internal security with a unified national sense of purpose. Imoke said this on Wednesday in Calabar in his 54th independence anniversary address to the people of the state at the U.J.Esuene Stadium. He said that in spite of ``the indigenous terrorism, unemployment, corruption in public institutions, political power struggle and other forms of corrupt practices'', Nigeria would still be united. ``As a people, we must stand united and steadfast to confront the challenges that face our democracy and our developing economy. ``This, we must do so that the labour of our heroes past shall never be vain. We must move forward and march purposefully toward the bright future that is ahead of us; starting with the 54 independence anniversary. One his part,the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri, said lack of unity in the country had brought a lot of setback to the Nigerian economy. Ohiri said that only unity among Nigerians would help achieve stable economy. ``Today we are all celebrating Nigeria at 54, but we cannot boast of steady economy or security,” Ohiri said. In Niger, Gov. Babngida Aliyu, expressed delight at the nation’s 54th anniversary, and commended the Federal Government for its fight against terrorism in the North-East. ``The Federal Government is doing well in the fight against terrorism in the North-East of the country,” he said. Also, some Abuja-based legal practitioners, said the judiciary should be made more vibrant as Nigeria celebrated its 54th independence anniversary. one of the lawyers, Kingsley Nnonye, said he expected a quicker dispensation of justice as Nigeria celebrated its 54th independence anniversary. ``I expect a modern judiciary that is ready to dispense justice as quickly as possible. ``In such a way the litigants will be happy that the court will be their last hope and it is what I expect to see in Nigeria`s judiciary as we clock 54,” Nnoye said. A human rights lawyer, Marcus Abu, expressed confidence that the nation would surmount its challenges as it progressed. Abu said that the judicial system had made a remarkable impact in the area of speedy dispensation of justice. ``So far, the judiciary has remained unshakable and we believe that the integrity of the judiciary will be on course, and we will keep getting better as we celebrate 54th year of independence,” Abu said. On his part, Adanchin Halley, also commended the remarkable achievement in the judiciary. Halley cited the technological achievement in the judicial system where cases were filed electronically. ``54th year of independence calls for celebration because we have a remarkable and changes in our Laws, and some statutory provisions have been reviewed to make them relevant to current challenges. From Oyo State, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi, called for sustenance of democracy and unity as the nation celebrated its 54th Independence anniversary. Ajimobi, represented by his Deputy, Moses Alake-Adeyemo, said he would continue to work for the sustenance and progress of democracy in the country. As part of the independence celebration in Borno, the state government granted pardon to 22 prison inmates in Maiduguri. Gov. Kashim Shettima announced this during an unscheduled visit to the Maiduguri Maximum Security Prison. Shettima said that the action followed the recommendations of the State Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy. He urged the prison inmates to pray for an end to the current security challenges facing the country. Also, Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo, pardoned 16 prison inmates, including a 94 year-old man, as part of the celebration. Okorocha told newsmen in Owerri that the pardon was part of his administration’s way of celebrating the 54th Independence anniversary. In Akwa Ibom, Gov. Godswill Akpabio, said Nigeria at of 54 was ``on the speed lane of meaningful and productive transformation''. Akpabio said at the Uyo Township stadium that the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan had been forthcoming and remarkable with its transformation agenda. In Abuja, some Nigerians who love entertainment visited the Siverbirds Cinema as part of the celebration, and commended the present administration for its efforts to transform the entertainment industry. [eap_ad_1] one of them, Abasi Itoro, commended the N300 million capacity-building fund provided by the present administration for the entertainment industry. A medical doctor, Daniel Akinwumi, also commended Jonathan’s transformation agenda, pointing out that so much had been achieved. Akinwumi noted that the achievements of this administration on security were what encouraged him and his family to go out and watch movies. In Lokoja, Pastor David Popoola, Provincial Pastor of Living Faith Church, Lokoja, urged Nigerian leaders to be honest and faithful in discharging their responsibilities. Also, Malam Abubakar Mohammed, said Nigerians should use the occasion to ``celebrate our togetherness, that irrespective of our political, religious, tribal and cultural differences we are still one entity''. Mohammed commended the transformation agenda of Jonathan, and urged all Nigerians to support the president to enable him succeed. Reporters/AMY/OFN [eap_ad_4]

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