The Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), has urged Nigerians to promote unity, peace and progress as enunciated in its National Seal.
The group made the appeal in a statement by Mr Kolade Alabi, ALGON National President, to commemorate the nation’s Independence at 61 on Friday, in Abuja
Alabi appealed to Nigerians to make sacrifices that would promote togetherness in spite of diverse beliefs, culture, religion and ethnicity.
“We enjoin Nigerians, in spite of all the good and ill-fortune which the country is grappling with, to promote the spirit of oneness.
“Several developments have shown that everyone should remain steadfast and appreciate God for the union.
“Nigerians are hereby reminded to never lose hope or forget in a hurry the painstaking sacrifices of the founding fathers in spite of the country’s diversities in which the strength and love of our nationhood are rooted on.
“It is important at this time of our history; for us all to appreciate and draw strength from a popular adage from–Sarojini Naidu which said that “country’s greatness lies in its undying ideals of love and sacrifice that inspire the mothers of the race”.
“Nigerians should be reminded that there is still hope for a better future especially as the Constitution Amendment is being anticipated which though not an end itself but a means to an end,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to quench and conquer the fear of division, adding that, when united, it could frontally win all its challenges and defeat distractions.
Alabi appealed to Nigerians to focus more on service delivery to raise the bar of its growth.
The ALGON president said that the association was exceptionally happy with all Nigerians for upholding the tenets and values of a constitutional democracy, in line with the ideals of its founding fathers.
Alabi said that, “ALGON has had its sides of experiences and would continue to have fate in the system to address existential threats especially issues of insecurity.”
This, he said would be done through job creation, tenure, consistency of election, revenue profile, infrastructure, health delivery services, education, industrialization for secured future
He noted that in spite of odds, the local governments and area councils across the country had one thing or another to celebrate as the government closest to the people with powers to protect the needs of the grassroots.
He congratulated Nigerians on its 61st Independence on behalf of the National Executive Council of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the Board of Trustees (BOT), Management and Staff.
Alabi said that the ALGON remained optimistic that through a virile local government and councils, Nigeria will blossom exceptionally.
(NAN)