When the British Union Jack was lowered on October 1, 1960, and replaced by the union of Nigeria’s multi-ethnic nationalities under one flag, it demonstrated the significance of our new found freedom at independence. Also referred to as National Day, it is often celebrated with pomp and circumstance in the form of parades and cultural performances that inspire the spirit of patriotism and love for one’s country.
Indeed, it has been a momentous journey of sixty-two years for Nigeria. As the country is celebrating this year’s independence, it is not oblivious to the multifarious challenges that threaten it’s very essence as a nation. Today, insecurity, separatism, and economic meltdown are some of the woes that buffet the country to the point of asphyxiation. But then, evidence abound that the source of the challenges are global in nature, hence not peculiar to Nigeria and are yet, surmountable.
Thankfully, the Federal Government in demonstration of it’s commitment to the unity and welfare of the citizens has been confronting the challenges with gusto on all fronts.Though seemingly intractable, the indices for the future are indicative that all hope is not lost and with the deliberate security initiatives, macroeconomic policies, and social interventions programmes currently in place, coupled with the collaborative effort of the thirty-six state governments, there is no doubt about expected positive outcomes.
Thankfully, Anambra State Government under Prof Chukwuma Soludo is at the forefront of states that have taken the bull by the horn to rekindle hope and patriotic zeal in the citizenry through deliberate actions and programmes aimed primarily at building a peaceful, liveable and prosperous homeland for all.
Without doubt, there is a level of consistency in the “disruptive change” approach adopted by the state government in pursuit of overarching public good hinged on prudent management of scarce public funds. There is also a high level of consultation with stakeholders on salient issues with a view to winning hearts and minds and building the required consensus towards achieving the much desired solution, which the governor rightly observed lies with us.
Thus in a bid to make Anambra livable, the menace of insecurity is being confronted head-on buoyed by funding from the Security Trust Fund, Joint Task Force operations and the Anambra Vigilante Services, common criminals and (unknown gunmen) in the jungles and streets are being weeded from the state, leading to gradual restoration of safety and sanity.
In the same vein, efforts at sustaining Anambra’s giant strides in education is assured with the rigorous and transparent teachers’ recruitment exercise which will in no distant time yield positives in academic excellence by properly tutored and trained pupils and youths. Also, the triumph over environmental and health hazards constituted by reckless refuse disposal and urban regeneration efforts of the government are visible. As the rains abate, the comprehensive plans for Anambra roads have commenced in earnest with the recent award of kilometers of roads construction and rehabilitation across the state.
These landmark initiatives are geared towards ensuring that Anambra sustains its stance amongst the comity of states of Nigeria as The Light of the Nation. There’s no gain restating the fact that the task of sustaining the achievements of our forebears, titans like late Owelle of Onitsha, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Nwafor Orizu and not forgetting the examples of Dr Alex Ekwueme of recent blessed memory, requires the collective effort and resolve of the citizenry committed to nation building against all odds. That is the essence of the Independence celebrations.
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