Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has said that Nigerians have every reason to thank God after 64 years of Independence from colonial masters, insisting that the country’s brightest days lie ahead.
The Governor who said that Nigeria’s story is not that of defeat but hope in the Supreme God, therefore solicited collective prayers for the country and her leaders from the citizenry for a Nation of our dream.
Addressing the congregation at the end of the Independence Day Anniversary Church Service at Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, Sunday, the Governor expressed thanks to God for giving Nigerians another opportunity to celebrate their Independence in the face of relative peace and unity, noting that it is a sign that ,”Nigeria is a Nation whose God is Lord.’’
He said that despite all the perceived challenges from different parts of the country, ‘’Nigeria has not been confronted with full blown war.’’
He recalled, for instance, the recent flooding that devastated our brothers and sisters in some parts of the Country as that of great challenge to the country but noted that “with God all things are possible.”
The Governor said Nigerians have three good reasons to praise God today: one, after 64 years of Independence God has allowed us to make progress; secondly, there is the gift of life for Nigerians to stay together as brothers and sisters and finally, Nigeria has experienced relative peace that prevails in our land despite all challenges.
The Governor then urged Nigerians to give thanks to God in all circumstances and move away from “lamentation to celebration and from dismay to hope.”
He seized the opportunity to express the people’s deep appreciation of the work the Church is doing for the Nation and implored the Church leaders to continue to pray for Nigeria and Imo State.
“The past and present leadership may have fallen short of expectations of the people, yet there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel,” he posited and called for prayers for the Nation so as to continue to remain peaceful and united.
His words: “With unity and faith the country will get to her destination.”
Governor Uzodimma however urged the citizens to interrogate their consciences and attitude when it comes to the destruction of Government property, killing of security agents and frustrating government policies, noting that “patriotism and nationhood abhor all that.”
On the request of the Archbishop through his representative regarding the payment of gratuities, the Governor promised to continue with the payment but implored the Bishop and his lieutenants to pray that those involved in despicable and fraudulent behaviour which hurt the seamless verification exercise on gratuity should refrain from such.
Earlier in his message, His Grace Most Revd. Dr. Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, the Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, had acknowledged that God is with Nigerians, having kept us together as a Nation despite all challenges.
He said that “it is not a surprise that Nigeria has remained one,” noting that “the journey is not easy but with God tomorrow will be better.”
While wishing Nigerians a Happy Independence Celebration, the Archbishop whose message was read by the Very Rev. Fr. Gerald Njoku, the Director of Church and Society commended the Governor and Government of Imo State for “maintaining peace, fighting insecurity and embarking on infrastructural development as well as engaging the Eastern Waste Management that has created jobs and established recycling plants.”
He also thanked the Governor for adding 3,000 more workers whose salaries were suspended at the beginning of the administration into the payroll and for the timely payment of their salaries.
He requested that the Governor continues with the payment of gratuities for the pensioners that are yet to receive theirs.
The Archbishop also appealed for the speedy completion of the ongoing flyover at the Assumpta roundabout.
The Independence Anniversary Special Service was attended by the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka Chikeka, the President Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Victor Okorie, Members of the National Assembly, Members of the State House of Assembly, Members of the State Expanded Executive Council, Chairman Imo State Elders Council, HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Heads of Security Agencies, Chairman of APC Imo State, Dr. Macdonald Ebere, Chairmen of Local Government Areas of the State and their Councillors, and many others.