.Let’s rekindle our hope, renew commitment to nationhood -Deputy Speaker, Kalu
.Atiku hails Nigerians’ courage, blasts APC over economic strangulation
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Jonas Ezieke, Abuja and Ignatius Okorocha,Abuja
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said that the country is moving in the right direction with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms beginning to yield positive results.
He also appealed to Nigerians to endure the pains of the reforms for just a little while longer “in the interest of our children and future generations”.
Akpabio made the appeal in a congratulatory message personally signed by him to commemorate the country’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
The Senate President’s statement reads in full: “My dear resilient and wonderful people of this great nation, I wish to heartily congratulate you for witnessing Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary celebration. At 65, we are matured and should be working for the unity of the nation and prosperity of our people.
“We salute your resilience, patience and endurance in the last two years. We deeply appreciate your support and understanding.
“In line with the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘All hands are on deck for a greater Nigeria’, I urge you to continue to bear the temporary discomfort of the ongoing reforms.
We are not unaware of the pains occasioned by the reforms, but I want to assure you, very soon, this will be a thing of the past because the benefits of the reforms are beginning to manifest positively.
“Let me also congratulate our President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his demonstrated commitment to the peace and development of our dear country, Members of the National Assembly for the steadfastness in their legislative engagements, the judiciary and the Nigerian people at home and in diaspora on this auspicious occasion.
“I must tell you that Nigeria is not finished. Do not buy into the mischievous narrative that Nigeria is irredeemable.
We are on the right pedestal and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is reshaping the country; we are growing and making progress.
“If we all join hands together to support the reforms, Nigeria will become better and surely get to the promised land.
“On behalf of my family, constituents, the 10th Senate and the National Assembly, I congratulate and wish you a peaceful and joyous Independence celebration”.
However, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and indeed Nigerians on the occasion of the country’s 65th Independence anniversary.
In his message, Kalu urged the citizens to rekindle their hope and renew commitment towards building a nation that benefits everyone.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s journey, Kalu acknowledged the nation’s challenges but expressed optimism about its progress toward greatness.
He emphasized the significance of the Renewed Hope Agenda, initiated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and encouraged Nigerians to remain patient and work together in harnessing their diversity, resilience, and determination for the development of the country.
The Deputy Speaker noted that the agenda embodied collective aspirations for a Nigeria where citizens thrive and opportunities abound, stressing that
working together will help build a nation that reflects the dreams of Nigeria’s founding fathers.
Kalu reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigerians and contributing to the nation’s growth as a federal lawmaker, assuring that the Parliament will continue to prioritize people-orientated legislations.
The Deputy Speaker wished all Nigerians a fruitful Independence Day anniversary, praying for God’s guidance toward a prosperous future for Nigeria.
He said: “As we celebrate Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, we reflect on our nation’s journey, achievements, and challenges. This milestone reminds us of the sacrifices made by our forebears and the collective efforts towards nation-building.
“As a representative of the people, I’m honoured to reaffirm my commitment to serving Nigerians and contributing to our nation’s growth.
“I have faith in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR which embodies our collective aspirations for a Nigeria where citizens thrive, opportunities abound, and our nation takes its rightful place globally. It’s a call to action for us to work together, harnessing our diversity, resilience, and determination.
“As we mark this significant day, let’s rekindle our hope, renew our commitment, and work tirelessly towards building a Nigeria that reflects the dreams of our founding fathers. Together, we can achieve greatness.
“Happy 65th Independence Anniversary! May God bless Nigeria and guide us towards a prosperous tomorrow, anchored on the principles of the Renewed Hope Agenda”.
Former Vice President of Nigeria and Waziri Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar, has paid tribute to the uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience of Nigerians who, despite living under suffocating socio-economic and security conditions, continue to hold the country together.
In an Independence Day message released by his media office on Tuesday, Atiku lamented that Nigerians are enduring excruciating pains from raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness — all compounded by the insensitivity of the APC-led administration.
“It is tragic,” Atiku declared, “that in a country blessed with immense human and material resources, millions of our people have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland. Every responsible government holds the welfare and security of its citizens as supreme. But what we have today is an administration that has abandoned its people. Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring.”
Calling on citizens not to lose faith, Atiku reminded Nigerians that 2027 provides a clear opportunity to reject bad leadership and reclaim the promise of a better tomorrow.
“The beauty of democracy lies in the power of the ballot. Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people.”
At 65, Atiku noted, Nigeria remains a giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay — a direct result of decades of poor leadership and wasteful governance. Yet, he urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, insisting that with the right leadership, the country can still rise from the ashes of failed governance to reclaim its rightful place among the comity of nations
He wishes Nigerians a happy 65th Independence Day anniversary celebration
