Former President Goodluck Jonathan has praised Nigerians for their patriotism in the face of the country’s modest achievements and developmental problems since independence.
Jonathan made the statement in Abuja through his Media Special Adviser, Mr Ikechukwu Eze.
According to Jonathan:
“It is now 63 years since our dear country got her independence from Britain.
“This commemoration offers us the opportunity to reflect on Nigeria’s great journey of nationhood; acclaim our modest strides, reassess the odds we survived, chart a path out of present challenges and renew our hopes for a greater tomorrow.
“Our country has seen progress as well as setbacks. Patriotic Nigerians, believing in their country, have always stood firm, sharing in the glory of successes and feeling the pain of missed opportunities.”
He stated that if there was a sense of dissatisfaction among the populace, particularly youngsters, over the nation’s failed goals throughout the years, it was not wholly out of the ordinary.
“Yet, rather than despair, we should look back at the encouraging signposts that set the tone for an auspicious future and the promise that we could attain our growth and development goals.
“Our nation survived a civil war, pulled through economic downturns at different times and has continued to hold its ground against threatening socio-political challenges, leveraging that indomitable spirit that guided our nationalists to remain steadfast and focused.
“This is the same disposition that today strengthens our citizens and enlivens their spirit and hope against the menace of terrorism, insecurity, economic hardship and worsening effects of climate change,” according to the former president.
He went on to say that it was the spirit that propelled Nigerians to worldwide success in sports, health, music, arts, technology, and scholarship.
Jonathan stated:
“As we mark yet another independence anniversary, we should focus our energy towards enthroning equity, justice, peace.
“Towards enthroning national cohesion in order to bring to fruition the dream of Nigeria realising its full potential and holding up the torch of liberty and progress for all Africans. Happy Independence Anniversary. God bless Nigeria.”
cc: Vanguard Ng
