Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has called for national unity, progress, peace and nation-building as Nigeria marks its 55th independence anniversary tomorrow.
In a statement released by his Media Office in Abuja, the former Vice President said “Nigerians deserve a pat on the back for their success and perseverance in preserving the country since independence despite the stresses and strains of nationhood.”
Also, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara in his independence message said Nigeria has continue to record improvements in key areas, which gives hope of better days ahead.
The speaker said in a statement by his media aide, Turaki Hassan, that although Nigeria is facing multifarious challenges, nonetheless the country has witnessed significant improvement in some areas.
The Speaker said that when compared with other developing countries, Nigeria is far left behind in many areas and is ranked among the lowest in the human development index, but expresses hope that “happy times will be here again.”
Also, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Ogbonnaya Onu yesterday said as Nigeria marks its Independence anniversary, the country is well positioned to build a great nation in the future.
Onu, who spoke at the 2015 Igbo day celebration of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, underpinned the country’s human and material resources as enough to see her reach the Promised Land.
In its independence message by the National President, Dr Kayode Obembe, the Nigerian Medical Association said Nigeria’s failure to score any impressive mark has kept it lowly on indices of global human development and health.
In a statement yesterday, the NMA said the country had never lacked effective recommendations, but poor leadership and implementation have been responsible for the uninspiring status in the global development circle.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on its part has appealed to Nigerians to use the occasion of the nation’s Independence anniversary to rekindle the spirit of patriotism.
The PDP in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh yesterday, urged Nigerians to exhibit actions that promote democratic ideals and peaceful co-existence at all levels in the country.
Also, governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have called on Nigerians to use the occasion of Nigeria’s independence anniversary to reflect on the country’s past and work towards building the nation.
A statement by coordinator of the Forum, Earl Osaro Onaiwu on behalf of Governor of Ondo State and chairman of the Forum, Olusegun Mimiko, said that the significance of the day lied in the fact that it binds all Nigerians into one chord not only within the country but also in the Diaspora.
Also, the House of Representatives leader, Femi Gbajabiamila in a statement yesterday by his media aide, Olarewaju Smart, said: “As a country we have come through our own rough history and now on a new path to national rebirth.”
