By Alltimepost.com
As Nigeria celebrates its 55 years of nationhood amidst mixed feelings by citizens, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was sure that the nation has started to reclaim its lost glory with the emergence of anti-corruption crusader, Retired Major General Muhammadu Buhari as president.
In his 55 Independence Anniversary message, the Governor said in spite of the turmoil of the past, Nigeria is stronger today than it was 55 years ago when it gained independence and that the country was now reclaiming its lost glory in the comity of nations.
He said the nation had made costly mistakes in the past and lessons have been learnt from them, urging Nigerians to renew their faith in the nation as better days are ahead.
Oshiomhole spoke at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, Thursday, where ceremonies marking the nation’s milestone took place.
His words: “as a leading country not only in Africa but in the black world, I think today is a very unique day in the life of our nation. At 55, I believe, we have every reason to celebrate this occasion.
“Our great country has gone through and has experienced ups and down over the past 55 years. Some of us were barely old enough 55 years ago to witness the celebration of our independence on October 1, 1960.
“Since then, we have experienced civil war, we have enjoyed oil boom, we have witnessed oil crises, we have witnessed military coups and counter coups, we have had government elected and overthrown, and over the past 17 years, Nigeria has returned happily to democratic rule in which our people now determine who govern our country at various level .
According to him, Nigeria was more united today than it was 55 years ago in the face diversity, remarking “In 2011, in demonstration of our unity and in celebration of our diversity, Nigerians across all primordial sentiments elected a President that presided for 4 years.
“Earlier this year, Nigerians across all divides; North, South, East and West, Christians and Muslims also exercised our rights and democratically elected the current President.”
Oshiomhole said with confidence that Nigeria has defied all predictions of disintegration as have been frequently reported in both local and international media, saying: “many had predicted that we will not survive as a nation in 2015.
“In fact, many predicted that that election will mark the end of Nigeria as a country. In the process, some questioned the wisdom of amalgamation between Northern Nigeria and Southern Nigeria.”
“As you can see, the unity of our country is not at the mercy of detractors. When you look at what we have gone through as one Nigeria, and that we are here today as one united Nigeria celebrating our independence, I believe that we are on the right path.”
Comrade Oshiomhole said it was the responsibilities the nation’s today’s leaders to lay the foundation on which the children, who are the leaders of tomorrow will build, adding that there is no nation without its own fair share of challenges.
“I feel what matters is the capacity of our leaders and the resolve and determination of our people to find solution to all of the problems that we can see and we can feel.
“I am happy that at this point in time, Nigerians have elected a President that commands respect not only at home but one that is highly respected abroad. We now have a President we can proudly say, ‘that is my president.’
“I ask us to support the President, have faith in our country and together, we will build Nigeria to a level and put in place the right socio-economic policy framework that will ensure that the wealth of our nation is reflected in the quality of life of our people.
“I want to assure the Edo child that this government recognizes that our future security demands that we make the right level of investment in education.”
The ceremony featured Match Pass by Security Agencies, Public and Private Schools, Market Women, Nigerian Labour Congress and voluntary organizations.
The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of prizes to Winners of the Match Pass. In the Senior Secondary School Category, Covenant Christian Academy, Benin won the 1st position while University Preparatory Secondary School came 2nd and St Maria Gorreti was 3rd.
In the Junior Secondary category, Emotan Junior Secondary School took the 1st position, Asoro Junior Secondary School came 2nd while New Era College came 3rd.
In the Primary School Session, Nigerian Prison Primary School came 1st, Iyi-Eweka Primary School came 2nd while Imaguero Primary School came 3rd.
