October 02, (THEWILL) – Cross River State governor, Senator Bassey Otu, says the collective resolve of Nigerians and their sacrifices, will make the country better.
Senator Otu disclosed this at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, during the occasion to mark Nigeria’s 63rd Independence anniversary.
Senator Otu said, “Our collective resolve and the sacrifices we make as a people, will make the country greater than what it was prior to 1st October, 1960.
“It is the only driving force towards a better Nigeria. For it is our sense of unity that will guarantee the indivisibility of our country, sense of ingenuity will give us technological breakthrough, while our sense of patriotism will be an enabler of peace and security of our nation.
“For every good action, it is first conceived in the mind as a thought before it is processed and translated into what we do physically. So, with patriotic mind set, the outcomes of our thought will make Nigeria greater”, the governor said.
Senator Otu admitted the fact that the people presently live in a very hostile economic environment with our compatriots in other States of the Federation, but stressed that this unfriendly economic climate is also prevalent in other parts of the world.
He added that what is required of all is solidarity, patience, resilience and love to collectively get our economy out of the woods.
The governor expressed optimism “that with our individual ideas put together, we will ultimately bring success to our present suffering.
“Let us take a step of faith by believing that this is achievable, and follow up with concrete actions”, the governor said.
He advised the people to bridge the fault lines of ethnicity, crime and criminality, hate and rancour, stressing that our sacrifice of today will eventually take us to the Nigeria we dream to have tomorrow.
In his welcome remark, the state commissioner for information, Erasmus Ekpang, said the event provides a very unique platform for us to reminisce on the many struggles of our Nationalists, leaders who gave us this sovereignty that we celebrate today.
In his words, “On a day like this, we must continue to pay glowing tributes to all our fallen heroes of this hard earned independence and also salute the courage, determination and commitment of our leaders that sustained our continued unity as one indivisible Nation till date”, he said.
The event featured a Ceremonial Parade by the Nigerian Police, March past by selected Para-Military and Voluntary Organisations, as well as the taking of Salute and cutting of the 63rd Independence Anniversary Cake by Governor Bassey Edet Otu, assisted by other eminent Nigerians present at the event.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
