Nigerians have been urged to remain committed to peace, unity and the collective responsibility of building a great nation for future generations.
The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, made the call at an interdenominational thanksgiving service to mark Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary at the Christian Central Chapel International, Calabar.
Otu, in a message read by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, described the anniversary as an opportunity to appreciate God and reflect on the sacrifices of past national heroes.
“Independence is more than the remembrance of a date in our history. It is a reminder of the sacrifices of those who came before us and of the responsibility placed on us to build a nation that future generations will be proud to inherit,” the governor said.
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He noted that despite the challenges that had bedevilled the nation since independence in 1960, the Nigerian spirit had endured.
“Nigeria has travelled a long road since 1960. Yet, through it all, the Nigerian spirit has endured. Our people remain resilient, enterprising and deeply committed to the hope of a better country,” Otu stated.
The governor said his administration remained committed to improving lives through opportunities for youths, quality education and healthcare, support for enterprise, improved infrastructure and increased investment.
“We will continue to work deliberately towards a state where our people can live in peace, work with dignity and look to the future with confidence. But government cannot do this alone,” Otu stressed.
Emphasising the need for Nigerians to embrace their diversity and strength, Otu said the country’s different ethnic groups, languages and faiths should not undermine its shared identity and destiny.
“We may come from different ethnic groups, speak different languages and practise different faiths, but we share one country and one collective destiny,” he said.
He urged residents to eschew violence, uphold the rule of law and remain committed to nation-building.
Earlier, the National Vice President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), South-South Zone, Archbishop Emma Isong, urged Nigerians to desist from what he described as unnecessary criticism of the nation’s leaders.
Isong also cautioned political and public office holders against making inflammatory statements capable of heating up the polity.
“Leaders must control their tongues as offices have tenures,” he said, adding that while constructive criticism was permissible in a democracy, criminalising leaders was unacceptable.
The cleric also cautioned Nigerians against holding grudges and refusing to reconcile, urging them not to rejoice over the misfortunes of others.
“Nigerians should stop rejoicing over the failure of others. You cannot pray for your neighbour’s fall only to kneel down and begin to pray to God for your upliftment,” Isong said.
The thanksgiving service climaxed with a presentation to the church by the Cross River State Government.
Meanwhile, representatives of the Cross River State Government had on Friday attended a Juma’at service to commemorate Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary at the Izalla Central Mosque in Calabar.
