Niger State Governor, Rt. Hon. Umar Mohammed Bago, has urged Nigerlites to continue to persevere and remain hopeful for a better Nigeria.
The governor stated this during the 63rd Independence Anniversary celebration of Nigeria, organised by the state government and held at the Bako Kontagora Memorial Stadium, Minna, on Sunday.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Comrade Yakubu Garba, said, just like the theme for this year's celebration, which is "Hope, Unity, and Prosperity", we should not lose hope in the present administration.
"When you hear somebody say hope, it means there are things that are yet to be done. We should keep up our hope; we should be resilient; we should be hopeful that things will get better," said the governor.
He added that the government was not unaware of the situation of the country, especially for the common man, but that it should not make us lose hope in the government, assuring that things will get better.
The governor observed that there was no alternative to unity, saying it is only when there is unity that there will be peace and the prosperity we are yearning for.
"If there is no unity, there won't be peace. If there is no unity, the prosperity we are yearning for will not come. Therefore, I want us to unite and ensure we get things better in the country and Niger State in particular," the governor explained.
He disclosed that we have every reason to celebrate Nigeria at 63 because, if for nothing, "we need to appreciate God for coming this far together despite our diversity".
Similarly, in their separate remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman Gawu, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barr. Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, said there was every reason to celebrate Nigeria's independence.
They observed that despite all the challenges the country was battling with, Nigeria continued to stand tall, and it calls for celebration even though the glamour that used to come with the celebration has been lost along the line.
They urged Nigerians and Nigerlites to be patient and endure the present situation, saying that with the support of all stakeholders, the present challenges are surmountable and Nigeria and Niger State will be peaceful and more united again, just like when we first became independent.
Highlights of the event were a ceremonial parade by officers of the Nigeria Police and the Niger State Command.