Nigeria@64: Obasanjo, Akpabio, Akume, service chiefs grace thanksgiving service

The activities marking Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary started on Sunday with an inter-denominational church service held at the National Christian Centre, Abuja.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, led the government’s delegation to the service, which was attended by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and the Service Chiefs, among other dignitaries.

In his speech, the SGF said all hope was not lost for the country under President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, he envisions that the country under Tinubu would become the most successful and prosperous in Africa and the world at large.

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Akume spoke at the Inter-denominational Church Service held on Sunday at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, to mark Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary.

His comments aligned with those of the Archbishop of Abuja, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Michael Akinwale, who delivered a sermon of hope for the country.

Akinwale, while stating his vision of a great future for Nigeria, said the country would once again become one of the leading nations in the world.

He said, “Today, September 29, I have a dream that this nation, Nigeria, will be great again. I have a dream that Nigeria will rise again. I have a dream that Nigeria will be a pacesetter for industrialisation in Africa. I have a dream that all Nigerians will dwell in plenty.”

Expressing his own vision for the country under Tinubu’s leadership, Akume said, “There is hope. I have a dream too, that this country, under Asiwaju, will become the most blessed, most successful, and prosperous in Africa and the world.”

Speaking, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio urged Nigerians to be patient and hopeful, adding that the nation’s journey to prosperity had just started.

He asserted that the country’s brightest days are coming ahead.

He said, “As we celebrate today, let us also acknowledge the challenges we face. Yes, the road ahead may be bumpy; yes, there will be setbacks; but together, united in our faith and love for Nigeria, we will prevail.

“Our journey to become a prosperous nation is just beginning and I urge each of you to be patient, to hold on to hope, and to believe that change is not only possible but inevitable. Nigeria’s brightest days are ahead of us. Together, with unwavering belief, we will build a nation that our children and generations to come will be proud of.”

Meanwhile, Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu has called on Nigerians to embrace unity and pursue inclusive national economic development for the common good of the nation.

Mbah made the call on Sunday during a special church service at the Government House Chapel, Enugu, to mark Nigeria’s 64th Independence anniversary.

The governor, who described the country’s 64th anniversary as a milestone, added that it was a testament to the resilient spirit of the people of Nigeria.

“The message for us as a nation is to be united, to have an inclusive economic development, and I think that is where the economy of this country is headed,” Mbah added.

He urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu, as well as other leader across the states, in order for the country to actualise its desired economic dreams.

“We are making steady progress. We may be making piecemeal progress. Perhaps what we need to review now is whether the marginal or incremental progress we are making is enough or whether we should think about ways that we can deploy disruptive innovation to leapfrog some of the developmental challenges we are faced with,” he said.

In a homily, the Diocesan Secretary/Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Fr. Wilfred Agubuchie, charged political leaders and all those holding leadership positions both in the public and private sectors to use their positions to work for the common good of the people.

Credit: The Punch