As Nigeria marked its 65th Independence anniversary on October 1, 2025, governors across the country called for renewed commitment to unity, accountability, and development as the true measure of freedom.
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri: “Survival is not success”
Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri said independence must go beyond symbolism to deliver tangible progress.
“On October 1st, 1960, our people broke free from colonial rule… sixty-five years later, we must ask ourselves: how far have we travelled?” he said.
He warned that “survival is not success. Independence without progress is only symbolic. Real freedom must transform everyday lives.”
Fintiri highlighted strides in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, including the recruitment of 12,000 workers across key sectors, and revealed Adamawa’s Internally Generated Revenue had risen from ₦6.2 billion in 2019 to ₦16.2 billion in 2025.
Ebony State Governor Francis Nwifuru: People’s Charter of Needs Priority
In Ebonyi state, Governor Francis Nwifuru pledged to anchor governance on the People’s Charter of Needs. Speaking at Ochoudo Centenary City, Abakaliki, he described the anniversary as both a celebration and a recommitment to development.
He cited achievements in education, including scholarships, new classrooms, and increased support for tertiary institutions, stressing:
“From the very beginning of this administration, we made a solemn promise that education would be the compass by which we steer our State.”
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya: Unity as Cornerstone of Progress
Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who also chairs the Northern States Governors’ Forum, urged citizens to uphold unity and peaceful coexistence.
“In less than three decades of existence, Gombe has ushered in a new dawn defined by vision, discipline, and results,” he said.
He highlighted over 900km of roads constructed, expansion in healthcare and education, ₦25 billion in gratuity payments to retirees, and ongoing reforms under the state’s 10-year development plan, DEVAGOM.
Shared Message
Across the states, the governors emphasised that independence must be measured not just by history, but by progress in governance, economic growth, and unity.