By Felix Durumbah, Abuja, and Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan
As the nation celebrates 66 years of political independence today, prominent Nigerians have enjoined the people to stay on course, embrace unity and continue working to uplift the country.
Among them are Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State; Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike; and Executive Secretary of Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Bishop (Prof) Stephen Adegbite.
Stay The Course -Oborevwori Urges Nigerians
In a statement, Gov. Oborevwori urged Nigerians to remain steadfast and united, saying sustained commitment to the current reform efforts is essential to achieving lasting development and prosperity.
In his Independence Day message signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, he said: “There is hope on the horizon and brighter days ahead.”
Oborevwori urged Deltans to continue supporting President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and his own administration’s MORE Agenda, saying continuity and stability in governance were critical to delivering sustainable development.
The governor said his administration was complementing federal efforts through massive infrastructure projects, investment in renewable energy, job creation and measures designed to attract foreign direct investment to Delta.
Saying “there is light at the end of the tunnel,” Oborevwori told the citizenry to remain patient, resilient and committed to the Nigerian project, and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, pledging to continue implementing policies and programmes that would improve living standards of the people and expand opportunities across the state.
Wike Uses Occasion To, Once Again, Flaunt His Achievements
In his own message, Wike extended his “warmest greetings and congratulations” to Nigerians.
In a statement to newsmen in Abuja, he noted: “Sixty-six years ago, our founding fathers laid the foundation for a sovereign nation built on the ideals of freedom, unity, and progress.
“Today, we look back at our journey with pride, acknowledging our resilience as a people and reaffirming our commitment to the growth and prosperity of our beloved country.
“In keeping with the theme of this year’s celebration, “From Reforms to Stability: Consolidating Nigeria’s Renewed Hope for Shared Prosperity”, we acknowledge the challenges that have faced our nation in the past 66 years, but also see a great opportunity for renewal and sustainable growth.
“We are very optimistic that the future is brighter. We have a President who is intentional about prioritising the well-being of the citizens and has brought unprecedented development to the FCT.
“The Federal Capital Territory stands as the ultimate symbol of our national unity—a place where Nigerians from every tribe, tongue, and faith come together to live, work, and thrive in peace. Abuja is not just a city; it is the heartbeat of a diverse people bound by a common destiny.
“As an administration, our primary mission remains the transformation of Abuja into a world-class capital city that reflects this collective strength. We are driven by a vision of a modern, inclusive, and functional territory where public services work for everyone.
“This administration understands that a capital city must lead by example, and we are fully committed to setting a standard of excellence in governance. In line with the Renewed Hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we have ensured that the benefits of good governance extend to the common man outside the city centre.
“To achieve this, we invested heavily in critical infrastructure, upgrading our road networks, and expanding public transportation to ease commuting. We are tackling the challenges of urban sprawl by ensuring that development reaches every corner of our territory. From the city center to the outermost communities, our focus is on building durable infrastructure that will serve generations to come.
“This administration has totally transformed the road network of the FCT from the City Centre to the remotest rural parts of the Territory, providing world class roads, equipped with drainage and solar lighting thereby putting an end to both inaccessibility and insecurity in far-flung settlements in the Federal Capital Territory.
“Ultramodern bus terminals have been built in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, and in the near future it will be extended to other area councils like Kuje, Bwari and Gwagwalada so as to ensure commuters in the FCT enjoy transportation services that are both safe and secure.
“Furthermore, we are improving access to quality healthcare and education across all area councils to ensure no resident is left behind. We believe that a healthy and educated population is the bedrock of any prosperous society. By equipping our schools and revitalizing our primary health centers, we are securing a brighter, healthier and more competitive future for our children.
“Your safety and security remain our top priority, and we are working closely with security agencies to ensure that the FCT remains safe for all residents and visitors. We have intensified surveillance, enhanced community policing, and deployed modern technology to combat crime effectively. We will not relent in our duty to protect lives and property across the length and breadth of the territory.
“I, therefore, urge you all to remain law-abiding, support government’s development initiatives, and protect our public infrastructure from vandalism. Let us take pride in our surroundings and maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of our beautiful capital.
“My dear residents, as the nation prepares for the forthcoming general elections in January, 2027, I enjoin you all to see it as an opportunity to vote in progressive, visionary leaders that will sustain and expand the infrastructural revolution that has commenced in the FCT, leaders who have vision and capacity to bring more development and prosperity to the people.
“In conclusion, I urge us to continue to coexist in harmony, showing the love and tolerance that make our city a true home for all. Let this anniversary serve as a reminder of what we can achieve when we work with a shared purpose and a unified vision. Together, we will build an FCT that we can all be proud of – a beacon of hope and prosperity for the entire African continent.”
Adegbite Hails Nigerians, Tinubu
On his part, Adegbite congratulated Nigeria and President Tinubu on the independence anniversary.
Bishop Adegbite, in a statement released in Abuja, said Nigerians have every reason to thank God for attaining 66 glorious years of nationhood.
In the statement signed by NCPC’s Deputy Director, Media and Public Relations, Mr Celestine Toruka, the Executive Secretary explained that the fact that Nigeria gained self-rule on 1 October, 1960 and has been progressing steadily since then, is no mean achievement.
He praised President Tinubu for providing quality leadership to Nigeria “at a time like this,” urging him to remain focused and not allow enemies of the state to distract him.
Bishop Adegbite affirmed that though the country is still faced with a lot of challenges, he is optimistic that they will be surmounted sooner than later.
The NCPC helmsman called on all Nigerians to join hands with the government to move the country forward, thanking the people for their patience, resilience, perseverance and determination to make the country the best place to live in Africa.
He also solicited collective prayers for the peaceful conduct of the 2027 general elections, stating that the will of God will surely be done.
Bishop Adegbite urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to continue to contribute their quota to the country’s development and be part of what he described as the economic re-engineering taking place under Tinubu.
Oguntoyinbo Felicitates Nigerians, Salutes Their Resilience
Also celebrating with Nigerians, Allied People’s Movement (APM) senatorial candidate for Oyo Central Senatorial District, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, congratulated residents of Oyo State and all Nigerians on the occasion of the anniversary.
Oguntoyinbo, in a statement today, saluted the doggedness and resilience of the citizens in the face of harsh economy and social challenges confronting the nation.
He called on the people to celebrate, despite the security, economic and social challenges bedeviling the nation, noting the fact that the country had remained one, despite the numerous problems, was a cause for celebration.
Looking back to 1 October, 1960, when Nigeria secured her independence from the colonial master (Great Britain), Oguntoyinbo paid glowing tributes to the founding fathers, saying their efforts led to the freedom from colonial rule and the solid foundation they laid down had helped the country to remain one, in spite of differences in religion and culture.
He specifically commended the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, for making the now-defunct Western Region a pacesetter among other regions in the country.
Oguntoyinbo, a philanthropist and tycoon, urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the “Nigerian project,” expressing confidence that the country, despite the current situation, would bounce back and regain its pride of position in the comity of nations.
He urged the people of Oyo Central Senatorial District to continue their support for the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration, the APM, and his candidature as their senator come 2027,
assuring that the future is “very bright” for them.
Everyone Suffers When Nigeria Isn’t Working, Says Plateau NDC Candidate Kumswa
Contributing too, Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) House of Representatives candidate for Langtang North/South constituency, Dalen P. Kumswa, urged Nigerians to use the occasion to remind themselves of integrity, responsibility, and respect for their differences.
Insisting that “Nigeria belongs to all of us”, Kumswa noted that though “we may come from different states, regions, clans, cultures, religions, and backgrounds, we may speak different languages and hold different political opinions, we may come from different communities, including us in Langtang North/South,” everyone still shares the same hopes and aspirations for a better Nigeria.
His statement read, in part: “We must never get to the point where we say, “Nigeria is not my problem.”
“It is our problem. When one part of the country suffers, the consequences eventually affect another part. When institutions fail, everyone is exposed. When corruption becomes normalised, everyone pays a price. When insecurity grows, it does not ask which tribe, religion, region, or political party you belong to before affecting you.
“That is why we need integrity not only from those in government, but from ourselves as citizens.
“We must also learn to respect our differences. We do not have to agree on everything to respect one another. We do not have to belong to the same political party, support the same candidate, or hold the same opinion to recognise that the other person has a right to be heard.
“Our diversity should be a strength, not a weapon against one another.
“Independence should therefore be more than a celebration of our history. It should be an opportunity to reflect on our collective responsibility from the communities of Langtang North and South to every part of Nigeria.
“The Nigeria we desire will not be built by government alone. It will be built by citizens who refuse to look away, refuse to excuse wrongdoing simply because it benefits their side, and refuse to say, “It is not my problem.”
“Nigeria is our shared home. Its problems are our collective responsibility. Its future is our collective responsibility.
“Let us disagree with integrity, engage with respect, and work together despite our differences.
“From Langtang North and South to the rest of Nigeria, let us continue to believe in a country where every citizen has a voice, every community matters, and our differences do not divide our common purpose.”
