The Imo State governor Hope Uzodinma has admonished Nigerians to be patriotic in championing peace and togetherness among fellow citizens for the progress of the nation.
He maintained that Nigerians have every reason to thank God after 64 years of Independence from colonial masters, insisting that the country’s brightest days lie ahead.
The Governor who said that Nigeria’s story is not that of defeat but hope in the Supreme God, solicited collective prayers for the country and her leaders from the citizenry for a nation of dreams.
Addressing the congregation at the end of the Independence Day Anniversary Church Service at Maria Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, Sunday, the Governor expressed thanks to God for giving Nigerians another opportunity to celebrate their Independence in the face of relative peace and unity, noting that it is a sign that ,”Nigeria is a Nation whose God is Lord.’’
Uzodinma said that despite all the perceived challenges from different parts of the country, ‘’Nigeria has not been confronted with full-blown war.’’
He recalled that the recent flooding that devastated some parts of the country was a big challenge, but noted that “with God all things are possible.”
The Governor said Nigerians have three good reasons to praise God “One, after 64 years of Independence God has allowed the country to make progress; secondly, there is the gift of life for Nigerians to stay together as brothers and sisters and finally, Nigeria has experienced relative peace that prevails in our land despite all challenges”.
Uzodinma urged Nigerians to give thanks to God in all circumstances and move away from what he described as “lamentation to celebration and from dismay to hope.”
He seized the opportunity to express the people’s deep appreciation of the work the Church is doing for the nation and implored the Church leaders to continue to pray for Nigeria and the state.
“The past and present leadership may have fallen short of expectations of the people, yet there is hope and light at the end of the tunnel. With unity and faith the nation will get to her destination” he said.
He called for prayers for the nation to continue to remain peaceful and united.
Governor Uzodinma, however, urged the citizens to interrogate their consciences and attitudes when it comes to the destruction of Government property, killing of security agents and frustrating government policies, noting that patriotism and nationhood abhor all that.
On the request of the Archbishop through his representative regarding the payment of gratuities, the Governor promised to continue with the payment but implored the Bishop and his lieutenants to pray that those involved in what he described as despicable and fraudulent behaviour which he said hurt the seamless verification exercise on gratuity should refrain from such.
Earlier in his message, the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, His Grace Most Revd. Dr Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji acknowledged that God is with Nigerians, having kept the country together as a Nation despite all challenges.
He said that it is not a surprise that Nigeria has remained one noting that the journey is not easy but with God tomorrow will be better.
Wishing Nigerians a Happy Independence Celebration, the Archbishop whose message was read by Very Rev. Fr. Gerald Njoku, the Director of Church and Society, commended the Governor and Government of Imo State for maintaining peace, fighting insecurity and embarking on infrastructural development as well as engaging the Eastern Waste Management that has created jobs and established recycling plants.
He also thanked the Governor for according to him, adding 3,000 more workers whose salaries were suspended at the beginning of the administration into the payroll and for what he described as timely payment of their salaries.
Fr. Njoku, on behalf of the Archbishop, requested that the Governor continue with the payment of gratuities for the pensioners who are yet to receive theirs.
The Archbishop also appealed for the speedy completion of the ongoing flyover project at the Assumpta roundabout.