Governor Godswill Akpabio has admitted that sustained military incursions in the country impeded meaningful development, saying that the return of democratic governance 15 years ago has brought forth meaningful gains in all areas of development.
Akpabio, who gave stated this Wednesday during Nigeria’s 54th independence anniversary celebration held at Uyo Sports Stadium bemoaned that “There was massive infrastructural decay, dilapidated public utilities, growing unemployment, inflation, devalued currency, mismanaged economy, epileptic power supply, and eroded educational system amongst others.
The Governor hinted that “For over three decades, democracy which has been adjudged as a veritable vehicle for development had eluded our nation. But the return of democratic governance 15 years ago has brought forth meaningful gains in all areas of development. We have made reasonable strides and restored our Nation to that of our founding fathers’ dream”.
He lauded the pace of transformation of the nation under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has given us hope of realizing the dream and vision of the founding fathers, saying that “It has restored our hope in the labour of our heroes past and assured us that it will never be in vain. They laboured with faith and wisdom to build a nation founded on the immovable rock of peace, love, unity, faith and brotherhood.
Akpabio explained that “President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has been more forthcoming and remarkable with its transformation agenda. It has tackled hitherto intractable areas and turned relegated institutions into agencies of quality service delivery. The unbundling and privatization of the power sector has given greater impetus to investments and development of small scale businesses.
“The administration’s policy in agriculture, ranging from the supply of fertilizers, improved seedlings and other agricultural inputs, loan facility to farmers have combined to boost food production. The cashless policy evolved by his administration has helped to reduce corruption, improve financial transactions and range the nation into contemporary standard in monetary policy.
“The administration has constructed over 25,000 kilometers of roads raising the bar from a paltry 4000 kilometers of federal roads it met. It is also set to construct another 10,000 kilometers in the nearest future. In the areas of education, the Jonathan administration has surpassed any previous record with the establishment of about nine Federal Universities, several Almajeri schools and quantum Federal Scholarships within and outside to young Nigerians. The administration’s commitment is also manifest in the area of sports where under President Jonathan; the nation has carted home two major trophies in football – African Cup of Nations and the Junior World Cup by Golden Eaglets”, the Governor stated.
He asked Nigerians to defend the country’s unique identity and re-enact the culture of peace and unity that earned them self-governance, pointing out
“We must liberate ourselves from the wanton insecurity, which has become a threat to our unity and togetherness. We must note that violence is not a part of our national fabric and identity; neither did it form part of our noble and dignified struggle for Independence as a nation.
According to him, “No blood was shed in our Independence struggle because all the parties fought together in a spirit of brotherhood. If no blood was shed in obtaining Independence from the Colonial masters, why are we shedding blood now that we are independent as a nation?
“To do this, we need to build an indivisible and united Nigeria, founded upon firm foundations of unity. We must re-write the Nigerian story which has been soiled by avarice, jealousy, nepotism and ethnicity. We need a strategic, national narrative, founded on the faith that we have all the attributes needed to turn our nation into one of the greatest nations on earth”, Akpabio remarked.
He recapped that “Today, we are gathered to celebrate the 54th anniversary of our nation. We are gathered not only to celebrate the victory won by our founding fathers but also to rebuild the foundation of nationhood instituted by our forebears. The founding fathers of our nation together in love and unity gained independence from the Colonial Masters and built a nation with equal opportunities for all Nigerians.
“And so we come here today to appraise our journey so far and to conduct a self audit into how we have fared. We have come together to recommit ourselves to the ideals of Nationhood and to declare that even though we are staggered by the storms perpetrated by the Boko Haram insurgents, we must as a people unite to trounce their machinations and rescue our Nation from their evil clutches.
“Therefore, as a tribute to their memory, as a testament that their labour was not in vain, as a testimony that their dream is eternal, let us agree to move our country out of the cesspool of disunity into the sunlit path of brotherhood. My dear compatriots, in every time and season, our country sends out a call which the Nigerians of that time and season must arise and obey. In a similar vein, we raise a battle cry of that same call to all Nigerians today.
“Our State has become the bridgehead of the new Nigeria. Together, we have given hope to our country and we have laid a foundation for growth and prosperity. I urge leaders therefore to remain beacons of unity in our country. To the youths, I urge you to break down the walls of ethnicity and build the bridges of love and understanding. To our children, I urge you to remember that one Naira earned brings more joy than thousands Naira found. Let us together rebuild a Nation where integrity would be our watchword”, the Governor maintained.
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