Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State on Tuesday took a holistic view of Nigeria after 64 years of attaining political independence and came to the conclusion that the Country is winning.
The Governor who spoke at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square Owerri during the celebration of Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary, insisted that though the journey has come with certain challenges, Nigerians cannot deny the positive sides since October 1,1960 that the colonial masters handed over the reins of power to the indigenes.
He noted that both in the field of sports, education, healthcare, global impact, military prowess, skill acquisition, arts, science and technology among others, Nigeria has recorded commendable gains.
Governor Uzodimma commended the spirit of resilience in Nigerians that has brought the country thus far and advised the citizens not to despair in their belief in an envisaged great Nation called Nigeria by the founding fathers.
He noted that Nigeria enjoys the respect of other countries in the world because she is making appreciable and steady progress in the face difficulties.
The Independence Day Anniversary was celebrated with pomp and circumstance as the military, police, paramilitary agencies, schools and other groups showed outstanding performance in match past with the Governor taking the salute.
Governor Uzodimma had earlier inspected the guard of honour before retiring to take the salute during the match past.
He also cut the Independence Day Anniversary cake and performed the symbolic release of the pigeons that signals peace in the country.
Governor Uzodimma’s speech read in full:
“Sixty-four years ago, on 1st October 1960, the green-white-green flag was raised for the first time, marking the birth of our great nation, Nigeria. Today, as we celebrate another anniversary of this milestone, I feel very proud of our progress as an independent nation.
“Despite our numerous challenges, our country enjoys the respect of other members of the community of nations. I am equally proud of the individual achievements which our citizens have continued to record in the global space in various fields of endeavour, including academia, business, sports, the arts, science, and technology.
“The icing on the cake came recently with the brilliant outing of world-class Nigerian athletes at the recent Paralympic Games in Paris. I also feel very proud of the industrious and promising young Imo boys and girls who have acquired cutting-edge digital skills from our Skill Up Imo Project and are today waxing strong in the new technology-driven global employment market.
“That is the spirit of Nigerians innovative, resilient, and ever-tenacious. That spirit is part of what we are celebrating today. Indeed, Nigeria is winning, and we have so much to celebrate.
“So, I welcome you all to this year’s Independence anniversary celebrations with profound gratitude to God. His benevolence has sustained us through six decades of self-governance, allowing us to take our destiny into our own hands. While our journey has faced challenges, we owe immense gratitude to God for the progress we have made. Thus, I congratulate all Nigerians, especially the resilient people of Imo State, on this joyous occasion.
“The story of our nation, like that of many others who fought for independence, is one of unwavering determination. As a country that endured a civil war in its early years, the urgency of nation-building is even more pronounced. Yes, we have faced obstacles that tested our unity; yes, we have not built that perfect nation that we all hoped for at independence, but we have made remarkable progress, which gives us more than enough reason to celebrate. As Johnson Oatman wrote in one of my favourite hymns, “Count your blessings, name them one by one, it will surprise you what the Lord has done”.
So let us attempt to count our blessings:
“1. Education: From just two universities at Independence, we can now boast of over 270 universities and countless other tertiary institutions that are nurturing the bright minds that will shape our future.
“2. Healthcare: Our citizens now live longer and enjoy better health, thanks to expanded access to healthcare and improved health facilities.
“3. Sports: We have conquered the world stage and raised our flag with pride on many occasions.
“4. Global Impact: Our nationals continue to make significant contributions to global advancements in science, technology, innovation, and creativity. Nigerian scholars have continued to shine across the globe, embodying excellence and innovation.
“5. Military Prowess: Our armed forces not only secure our borders but also contribute to global peacekeeping efforts, earning international respect and admiration.
“I can go and on, but let me stop at this point.
“Here in Imo State, we have recorded transformative progress in infrastructure, education, and economic development. Our state institutions are training graduates who are equipped and ready to compete on the global stage. Our infrastructure, especially the roads, is improving steadily, thereby enabling us to connect more communities and stimulate commerce in and around the state. These achievements reflect the larger Nigerian success story.
“My beloved Ndimo, I recount these accomplishments not to ignore our challenges but to remind us of the glorious country we are building. While recent years have been economically challenging, when we consider the full picture, we can confidently say: that Nigeria is winning.
“Winning, in this sense, does not mean the race is over. We still face hurdles in security, economic stability, and national unity. But be assured that my administration will continue working harmoniously with the federal government to address these issues. We are implementing several well-thought-out policies aimed at boosting our economy, improving our security, and fostering unity among all Nigerians.
“On this historic day, I would like to renew my commitment to transparent and accountable governance to you, my fellow indigenes and residents. Our 3R administration will continue to give priority to the development of infrastructure development, economic growth, and social welfare. But this can only be possible with everyone’s support and cooperation. We must give peace a chance to enable us to deepen our democracy and accelerate our development.
“As we reflect on this Independence Day, I hereby repeat my invitation to all Imo people and Nigerians to join hands and contribute to making Nigeria the country of our dreams. I am talking of that country which our forebears from different corners of the country with different tongues had in mind when they fought for our freedom and independence. It is not enough to identify problems; we must actively participate in seeking solutions. We must, therefore, emulate the patriotism of our founding fathers, who made a lot of sacrifices for our freedom.
“Remember, this is our home. While some may be tempted to seek opportunities elsewhere, there is no place like Nigeria. As an immigrant, you are tolerated and restricted, but at home, you are beloved, entitled, and free. Here, we have the freedom to shape our destiny, to innovate, and to lead. Our diversity is our strength and our resilience, our sustenance.
“To the youth of Nigeria, you are our greatest asset. Your energy, creativity, and determination are the fuel that will drive our nation forward. I urge you, therefore, to take the opportunities before you, challenge the status quo, and take charge of building the Nigeria of our dreams.
“As we step into our 64th year of independence, let us do so with renewed hope and unwavering faith in our nation. Nigeria is winning, and with each passing day, with every individual effort, we inch closer to greatness.
“On this glorious occasion, I congratulate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our past leaders, and all Nigerians whose belief in our country has kept us united. Let us keep the flag flying high.
“Finally, like all nations of the world, Nigeria is a work in progress, and despite the worries and challenges of today, I remain optimistic that better days will come, and like we say when we pray, “our future will be better than our past”.
“God bless Imo State!
God bless Nigeria!
God bless Nigerians!
“Thank you, and happy Independence anniversary.”
Thereafter, Governor Uzodimma treated the guests to a sumptuous Independence Day Anniversary lunch at the Banquet hall of the Government House Owerri.