As Nigerians mark the nation’s 61st Independence Anniversary, President Muhammadu Buhari has called on all to see the occasion as a day that unified the people from all ethnic groups, religions and regions.
Buhari, in his Independence Day message to Nigerians, stressed that October 1 should, therefore, not just be remembered as the day the British handed power to Nigerians.
According to the nation’s first citizen, Nigeria was well-positioned to take over the reins from the British colonial masters as the East, West, North came together to celebrate freedom.
WHAT THIS MEANS:
- According to Buhari, despite the challenges facing the nation, most Nigerians still maintained the spirit of October 1st.
- It is due to this collective attitude that Nigeria doggedly continues to remain a united and indivisible nation.
- Nigeria will surmount her problems if Nigerians if ethnic, religious and political sentiments are put away.
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The past 18 months, meanwhile, were tagged by the President as some of the most difficult periods in the history of the country due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Buhari, in his speech, noted:
“Our original priorities for 2020 were to continue stabilising our economy following the deep recession while restoring peace in areas confronted with security challenges. But the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on all nations meant we needed to shift gears and re-strategize.
“Nigerians came together as one to fight against COVID-19. It is this attitude and by the special grace of God, we continue to survive the pandemic as a nation and indeed, provide leadership and example at regional and international levels.
Addressing the issue of security, Buhari noted that the gallant men and women of the military and security agencies had made tremendous progress in the last four months, in their efforts to tackle the new security challenges in parts of the country.
