Gov. Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun has congratulated Nigerians on the nation’s 60th Independence Anniversary.
Oyetola in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, on Wednesday in Osogbo, called on the citizens to continue to live in love and apply dialogue at “this challenging times to achieve the desired peace, unity, national integration and prosperity that we desire as a nation”.
The governor lauded the nation’s ability to latch on its shared values and collective will to defeat and survive the vagaries of a civil war, political impasse, insecurity issues and economic upheavals in the past.
The fact that the country still stayed together was indicative of its capacity to waddle through the present challenges and achieve its vision and destiny.
Oyetola thanked the people of Osun for their love, understanding and cooperation, assuring them of the avowed resolve of government to continue to deliver peace, opportunities and prosperity at these challenging and austere times.
“As we celebrate the 60th Independence Anniversary of Nigeria, I congratulate Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari, the Government and People of Nigeria.
“Ours have been 60 years of opportunities, landmarks and challenges. But we have overcome the centrifugal forces of a civil war, political impasse, insecurity issues and economic upheavals through resilience, shared values and collective will as a people.
“We have in the last 21 years shaken off political uncertainties and run unbroken democracy.
During these years, we have spoken as one people and given to ourselves self-government and nurtured the tenets of democracy.
“We have, in the process, proved our mettle as a nation under the prevailing circumstances.
“This should convince and encourage us that we have what it takes to survive our current challenges and come out stronger and better.
“Going forward, we must live in love as one people under God and continue to always employ dialogue, especially at this challenging times, to achieve the peace, unity, national integration and prosperity that we desire as a nation.
“Let us continue to find and employ new ways to talk and collaborate to build a strong, united, indivisible and prosperous Nigeria.
“Osun, as part of the federating units of the nation, we shall continue to responsibly pursue ends that will achieve the vision and dream of our fatherland,” the governor said.”
Oyetola counselled the people to always be guided by the motto of the nation, Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress, at all times, saying those pillars would make the nation perform its responsibilities to the people and compete in a globalised world.(NAN)
