Nigeria @ 57: Let’s be vigilant against divisive elements ―Amosun urges Nigerians

THE Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has urged Nigerians to be vigilant and guard against all forms of divisive elements that could work against the unity and progress of Nigeria, as the nation celebrated her 57th Independence Day, on Sunday.

Amosun stated this in his address delivered at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, to mark the National Day Celebration, that the country had survived trials and challenges since its attained nationhood.

The governor noted that the country had continued to celebrate her independence because of the sacrifice of her founding fathers, saying that Nigerians should not allow anything to divide them as a people.

He identified insurgency; tribalism; poverty; mono-economy; poverty; militancy and corruption as some of the challenges threatening the survival of the country.

Amosun said ethnic jingoists and religious fundamentalists should be kept at arm’s length whose delight is in the breakup of Nigeria.

On restructuring, the governor said there had been no common front on what form it should take to the benefits of the people.

He said, “57 years down the line, our country has taken its rightful place among the League of Nations. In our journey to nationhood we have weathered some storms; having to surmount the Civil War between 1967 and 1970, having to overcome the political and the socio-economic teething challenges, we have cause to be grateful to Almighty God that Nigeria is still standing as one, indivisible entity.

‘For us as a nation, every October 1st should be a timely reminder of how far we have come and how tenuous the cord of unity that binds us together is.

“Perhaps, the significance of the National Day Celebration every October 1st is to take a lesson from the sacrifices of our heroes past and to ensure that nothing divides us as a people. In this moment of stock-taking and sober reflection that the National Day Celebration has afforded us, we must begin to see strength in our unity and diversity.

“What is not in doubt is the huge potential for continued prosperity and socio-economic development as one, indivisible nation. We must, therefore, guard against all acts capable of jeopardizing the translation of this huge potential into reality.

“I charge us to be first, Nigerians, before any other thing. Let a day like this rekindle in us a nationalist fire for us to see others as brothers and sisters, irrespective of their creed or breed. In another dimension, eternal vigilance is required against divisive elements among us.

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