Eulogies continued to pour in yesterday as Nigeria marked 53 years of independence with eminent Nigerians offering suggestions on how to develop the country and make her great.
We�re overcoming our challenges�Ekweremadu
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu said that though the country had missed some opportunities and is faced with many challenging, it is also overcoming the challenges.
He said: �I call on Nigerians to join the present crusade to reinvent and transform Nigeria; and in this wise, I urge hope, courage, perseverance, prayers, reconciliation, peaceful-coexistence, and patriotic fervour to build the Nigeria of our dreams as no one else would do that for us.�
We�ve unshakeable faith in Nigeria�NLC
Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, yesterday said 53 years after independence the vision of the nation�s founding fathers of a productive economy, socio-economic justice, peaceful co-existence of which every Nigerian should be proud off, had degenerated into a nation where sectarian and communal crises had led to unacceptable blood-letting causing massive displacements and disunity, among others.
NLC said �Congress has an unshakeable faith in the country, Nigeria, and will do everything within its resolve to preserve its being.
Among other things, the NLC canvassed a national minimum wage and placing of labour issues in the Exclusive List, saying that �it is worrisome that against every grain of wisdom, the Senate has proposed its removal from the Exclusive List.�
We �re still battling teething problems�Onyema
Chairman of the Federation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria, FEHN, and facilitator of the amnesty programme for former Niger Delta militants, Mr. Allen Onyema, Nigeria had come a long way but it is sad that it is still battling teething problems at 53.
His words: �We have come a long way, but one is not totally happy. There are signs of danger looming. Certain things are not done properly. At 53, Nigeria has attained serious adulthood yet, it�s still grasping with issues that should have been addressed some 30 years ago. Some of the issues that the present administration is addressing today are issues that should have been addressed some 30 years ago. So, you can trace our problems not just to bad governance over the years, but to the attitude of the governed themselves. It�s nothing to write home about. �
We deserved more than we've achieved�CAN
Rejoicing with Nigerians on Independence Day, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN,, however, said that as leader of the African continent, Nigeria deserved more than she has attained so far.
In a statement by its President, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, CAN said Nigeria was yet to achieve the desired standard of conduct and performance envisaged by her founding fathers and expressed a strong hope that development would come as soon as all the challenges inhibiting her progress were surmounted.
�We must keep hope alive. We are still together and would be together. There has been modest improvement and development. It could be better. But the atmosphere is not encouraging enough to hold those administering the country accountable, talking about the security challenges. We must all return to the path of sanity to be able to develop.�
We must avoid the road to Syria, Egypt�Kachako
Botched Third Republic Senator, Isa Kachako, 73, who represented Kano South Senatorial District, said Nigerians must work hard to cement their unity and continue to play their vital roles in the continent of Africa and the world in general.
�My message is let�s live together. Every Nigerian should work hard, love one another and learn to help one another with our resources. We should not toe the line of Syria and Egypt. They have the same languages, the same religion, but see how they are messing up because of agents of confusion.�
Our future is bright�Ihedioha
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, said that Nigeria�s future remained bright in spite of challenges of national development.
In a message by his Chief Press Secretary, Oke Epia, he asked Nigerians to remain optimistic and committed to making the country realize her potentials and achieve her God given destiny.
He said: �Let us not despair in the face of daunting challenges even if though at 53, we ought to have surpassed certain minimum expectations. Nigeria remains ours to build and we must continue to maintain hope and optimism. Nigeria will achieve her destiny and realize the lofty dreams of our founding fathers if we keep an attitude of resilience and determination to succeed.�
Speaking at Powerline Bible Church, Lagos, the Nollywood actor pointed out that President Goodluck Jonathan has found one of the best hands in the world to look after the economy of the country, adding that sometimes a problem has to get worse in order to get better.
He called on the Nigerian youths to discover the talent that God has deposited in them and consistently practice to add value to it, saying �for the Nigeria youths, the future is great. Every youth has to discover who he is, the area that he or she is talented in.�
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