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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has urged Nigerians to renew their commitment to national unity, peace and the future of the country as Nigeria marks its 66th independence anniversary.
Akpabio, in his Independence Day goodwill message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, said Nigeria’s journey since independence had been marked by both triumphs and trials, but Nigerians had continued to demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges.
He described Nigeria as “our destiny, our duty, our future”, while calling on citizens to preserve the country’s unity and believe in its possibilities.
“On behalf of the Senate, the 10th National Assembly and my family, I extend warm felicitations to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Nigerians everywhere on our 66th Independence Anniversary,” he said.
Akpabio said the anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on the hopes that accompanied Nigeria’s independence in 1960, particularly the aspirations for freedom, self-government and the ability of Nigerians to determine their own destiny.
He also paid tribute to the country’s founding fathers and generations of Nigerians whose sacrifices, according to him, laid the foundation for the nation.
“They handed us a country to cherish and a future to build. May we prove worthy of their faith, and may our children inherit a Nigeria greater than the one entrusted to us,” he said.
The Senate President said that despite the uncertainties that had characterised the country’s journey, Nigerians had continued to “strive, create, serve and believe”, describing such resilience as one of the enduring strengths of the nation.
“Yet through them all, Nigerians have continued to strive, create, serve and believe. We celebrate that resilience today: the strength of a people whose hopes have survived every storm,” he said.
Akpabio said the Nigerian spirit was reflected in the contributions of farmers, teachers, entrepreneurs and young people, as well as in the country’s music, enterprise, hospitality and the achievements of Nigerians across the world.
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He further called for greater appreciation of Nigeria’s diversity, saying its different languages, cultures and faiths remained part of the country’s national inheritance.
“Let this anniversary renew our affection for one another and remind us that the green-white-green shelters us all. The peace we preserve together is the foundation of the future we seek,” he said.
Akpabio also paid tribute to members of the Armed Forces and security agencies who had lost their lives in service to the country, extending gratitude to their families.
He said their sacrifices gave “solemn meaning” to the freedom and unity being celebrated by Nigerians.
On the role of the National Assembly, the Senate President assured that the legislature would continue to support the administration of President Tinubu in efforts aimed at strengthening the country and improving the lives of citizens.
“As President Tinubu leads our country through this chapter, the National Assembly remains committed to supporting efforts that strengthen our nation and improve our people’s lives,” he said.
Akpabio urged Nigerians to celebrate the anniversary with renewed determination to contribute to national development, stressing that independence was an inheritance that each generation must sustain.
“Independence is an inheritance renewed by every generation. Let us celebrate with grateful hearts, extend hands of friendship and keep faith with the possibilities before us,” he said.
“Our past gives us perspective, our present gives us responsibility, and our future gives us purpose. Together, let us carry its promise into the future.”
He wished Nigerians a happy 66th Independence Anniversary and prayed for God’s guidance for the country’s leaders and the preservation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
