Awka- Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra said on Saturday that then country’s independence celebration called for sober reflection on the sacrifices of the founding fathers to ensure it remained united.
Speaking at an occasion to mark the 56th independence celebration in Awka, Obiano also granted amnesty to nine convicts in the prison.
He said the release of the inmates was with immediate effect.
Obiano said that the present economic situation in the country was not peculiar and called for collective effort to bring the nation out of the debilitating situation.
He said it was not the time for blames but that all should join hands to develop a great nation.
He said that the federal and state governments were working tirelessly to ensure that the nation came out stronger from the economic recession.
The governor said the state government was implementing a stimulus package in tax relief, infrastructural development for jobs and intervention for small and medium enterprises.
He assured the people that the country would come out of the recession, saying that there is no cause for alarm.
“The government is aware of the situation and the Federal Government is not relenting either. I want to assure you that everything will be alright soon.”
The traditional ruler of Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Governmnet Area, Igwe Ralph Ekpe, commended the governor for his milk of human kindness in granting amnesty to the prison inmates and urged them to be of good character.
The Chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Teacher (NUT) in Awka South Local Government Area, Miss Nwabuife Ndigwe, said that at 56, Nigeria had achieved a lot though there was still room for improvement especially in the development of civil servants.
The highlight of the celebration was the march past by the police, para military groups and students from various primary and secondary schools in the Anambra capital.
